Signings a clear statement of intent

Today's announcements of the signing of Championship duo Grant Holt and Michael Jackson should be taken as a clear statement of intent says Club Chairman Roland Wycherley.

"In breaking the Club's transfer record by a significant margin we are building for the future and doing exactly what we said we would once the Club's future was assured by the new stadium and its 365 day-a-year trading facilities," he says.

"Part of me understands how some perhaps misread our total focus on achieving financial stability as a lack of ambition, but I hope everyone can now see exactly where we are heading and our commitment to achieving success. These are clearly two very significant signings and, all being well, there will also be further impressive announcements in the coming days.

"I've never made any secret of the fact that, like almost every fan, in my heart I want to see this club play in higher leagues. However, this is a head as well as a heart issue, because the business case for promotion is becoming ever more compelling. More money than ever before is being bought into the Football League rejuvenated under Lord Mawhinney's leadership, but 80% of that revenue goes to the Championship clubs while those in League One and Two receive just 12% and 8% respectively. So we are seeing the Championship start to 'go up a gear' as the premiership did before it. Over the coming years that will make it harder and harder for clubs to break in to the higher leagues, so it is important that we push on.

"We all know there are no guarantees in football and I'm certainly not going to be rash and talk about promotion in a season, but equally no one should doubt our intent to be playing in League One as soon as possible and then to mount a further challenge from there. There signings, supported by our growing business base and continued commitment from the Board, are an important part of that process. So I'm pleased with the balance of the squad Paul Simpson is assembling - complementing the undoubted potential of some of our younger talent with the proven record of some experiences higher league faces.

"We now have as many season ticket holders as we had total gates a decade or so ago and the vast majority signed up before news of these signings, so I'm really pleased that we are now repaying that loyalty with quality transfers and the promise of great football next season. I hope that, like me, people are now itching to get the season underway."