SALISBURY City director Neville Beal has reminded supporters troubled by the Whites disappointing early season form that a football season is a marathon, not a sprint, writes Sarah McQuillen.

Speaking in the wake of a fans forum, at which supporters were invited to have their say in front of Beal and first team manager Nick Holmes, the director said: "I am not worried. There has been a short-term problem.

"Nick being away has not been ideal but people have to look at the long-term prospects."

Responding to accusations that the meeting was called in response to recent online criticism of the club's stay in the wrong half of the table, Beal added: "I have absolutely no problem with negative comments - people are entitled to their opinions.

"But a small minority have been posting some very personal remarks.

"To my mind, people who do that are not true fans and I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't even at the forum."

Instead, he described the face-to-face discussion as positive and constructive.

Not surprisingly, the return of Holmes from his enforced sojourn looking after his business interests in Florida dominated the debate.

Beal said: "He is looking at Christmas-time. In the meantime, we were able to explain why we have taken Barry Blankley on.

"Mark Kelly will go back to concentrating on coaching, which is what we brought him in to do, and Barry will fill in for Nick on the management side.

"Then, when Nick comes back, Barry will be his assistant."

Praising the spirit of openness between the club and its supporters, Beal said: "We didn't have to call this forum - we wanted to. But that said, we can't tell the fans everything that's going on behind the scenes.

"For example, if we start shooting our mouths off about players we would like to sign, it won't be long before other clubs find out and nip in and get them first. It is not a case of hiding things, but a certain amount of discretion pays."

The club announced this week that it had appointed a new director to the board.

Businessman Peter Yeldon is a former Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Salisbury, and a long-term supporter of the club, who has the annual hire of an executive box at the Ray Mac.

He lives in Winterslow and runs Clarendon Juniors' under eights football team.

Beal hailed the appointment as "great news" for himself and fellow director Stuart McGlashan.

He said: "Two directors are not enough for a club this size.

"Peter is a good man, he is a supporter already and he wants to see the club move forward."