CASH-hit Leigh RMI have told their players they must face a pay cut.

Chairman Chris Healey met the first team squad to announce the decision but insisted there is no intention of the club not fulfilling their fixtures in the Conference.

"I have told the players we need to regroup and will be giving them more details over the next seven days," said the chairman.

"It is not all doom and gloom and we have no intention of not fulfilling our fixtures. They are obviously shocked but I was pleased at the attitude of several of the players."

Poor attendances and an early exit from the FA Cup have compounded Leigh's financial plight but the club's future could hinge on proposals to sell Hilton Park and move to a new ground.

"Our finances have not been helped by an horrendous injury list which forced us to bring in players on loan," added Mr Healey. "When you get a town the size of Leigh and we can only average a gate of 400 it is very disappointing and we have to try new ways to encourage people to come.

"We are not going out of business but is is very difficult to manage with such small gates and our early exit from the FA Cup did not help."

The shock 4-2 FA Cup defeat at home to Worksop was a real body blow as it cost Leigh a minimum of £20,000.

The Railwaymen are desperately trying to arrange a friendly with one of their more illustrious neighbours to try and generate some much-needed cash.

"We have approached Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City and Wigan Athletic and are going to contact Manchester United to see if they will help us out," said Mr Healey.