There will be no player spending spree arising from Wealdstone's FA Cup exploits according to chairman Howard Krais.
Stones bowed out of the famous old trophy after a 6-2 home defeat at the hands of League One Colchester, but they have the consolation of having earned in excess of £20,000 from their wins in the previous rounds, not to mention their share of the gate receipts from the 2,469 crowd at Saturday's first round tie.
However, supremo Krais confirmed the much needed cash had already been earmarked elsewhere and consequently would not be handed to boss Gordon Bartlett to beef up a squad trying to punch above their financial weight in National South.
He said: "We knew when the season started we had a shortfall on the budget and we set ourselves some targets to make sure we overcame that shortfall. We are doing well in a lot of areas, but one or two areas we are not doing as well as we would like.
"What the FA Cup run means is we will fill that gap a lot. So it doesn't mean "Gordon can go out and buy players or change anything, because we made that decision at the start of the season we were going to back ourselves to bring the money in and we still back ourselves to do that.
"Some of the commercial stuff which is going on is really exciting at the moment. We have got some plans around events we are going to do in the second half of the season. We have got to pick the speed up on the fundraising part of things, but if we can hit all our targets by the end of the season it will mean we are in a stronger position for the next one and this is the way you have got to look at it.
"You can't just say we have got the money in now and go and spend it."
Despite the typically frugal approach, Krais cites the recent arrival of former Northampton Town midfielder Matty Harriot as proof they will always take the opportunity should it arise to bolster a squad he already considers to be on the up.
"I think we have got a competitive team anyway, but you always look at strengthening.
"Matty Harriot was a great example of seeing an opportunity of a player we have liked before and knew was available, so we moved quickly to get him.
"So when we see those chances we are still going to try and strengthen the team where we can as anyone would, but we are not going to push the boat out any more than we are. People have to understand we are already pushing the boat out, not in a profligate way, but in way we believe we can cover and afford."
In pictures: Wealdstone lose to Colchester
It is a stance which seems to be paying dividends with defeat to Colchester their first in 14 games - in stark contrast to the dark days at the start of the campaign, when there were rumblings among some fans even over the tenure of long-standing boss Gordon Bartlett.
"We talked earlier in the season and you know me I don't panic and Gordon doesn't panic.
"We have worked together for eight years and Gordon has obviously been manager a lot longer. I always say the same things. Are we doing all the things we believe are the right things. Are we working hard and staying close to our principles? Then you have got to believe those things which have got you out of trouble and made you successful before will do so again.
"One thing you mist not do is panic, sack the manager, change the squad. It just doesn't get you anywhere."
