“The chairman always finds a way, and I have that trust in him,” says Linnets boss Lakeland

Manager Adam Lakeland expects Stephen Cleeve to find an answer to the club’s financial issues as Lynn continue to push for a place in the National League North play-offs.Once again, Lynn’s domestic campaign is being overshadowed by more turmoil off the pitch, including deepening financial problems after Cleeve revealed in his matchday programme notes that the club needs £50,000 to see them through to the summer.For the third time in as many years, the begging bowl has come out again, and it also remains unclear what the situation is with Turn Sports investments and Singaporean businessman Joseph Phua, who bailed the club out 14 months ago.Speaking after the goalless draw against Chorley at The Walks, Lakeland said: “It’s something that doesn’t bother me, to be honest. It’s out of my control, and it’s above my remit.”It was like this in January last year when we were bottom of the league, and the chairman always finds a way and I have that trust in him.”It’s not an issue for me, and it’s not an issue for the players. We crack on.”The timing of Cleeve’s latest plea for help didn’t go down well with the Lynn manager ahead of such an important game against the Magpies. “I spoke to them last night and said I don’t want you putting any programmes in the home changing room because it’s my job to protect the players, and I’ll do that,” said Lakeland. “My life depends on it because that’s my job. They don’t need to be reading nonsense like that before a game.”The chairman and I have that relationship where he speaks honestly and frankly to me, and I think he respects that I do the same to him.”I told him what I thought, and he took it on board. I have nothing but respect and trust in the chairman. It’s the reason why I came down here 20 months ago because he’s a really good guy. “He’s always got the club’s best interests at heart, and he’s put a lot of his personal wealth into this club, and he continues to do so, along with Joe. He’ll find a way because he always does.”In his matchday notes, Cleeve wrote: “As many of you know, I am quite happy to write off all my loans and give away my shares for free – I was doing precisely that when a deal fell apart as the new potential owner was worried about investment needed and the sustainability of the club. “That has left me in a very awkward position. I have two commercial deals in place that will bring in at least £300,000 next season, and that should just about break us even but the key is that we need to get there.”Nearly all the bills are covered but there is no question that we will be short (probably around £50,000 will be needed before the end of June) hence the need to ask you as fans if you would be happy to put in a tenner if you can afford to do so.”