RAFI Razzak believes that Basingstoke Town have the players to form the foundations for success next season – and he will be disappointed if they do not reach the Blue Square South play-offs in 2011/12.

The Town chairman admits that he had high hopes when this season started, having given manager Frank Gray a bigger budget to work with following the disbanding of the reserve team.

Bearing that in mind, the campaign has been something of a disappointment – but Razzak has seen enough promise to give him hope for next season, while Gray looks set to be given at least another year in the hot seat.

“I think Frank Gray is doing a great job and we have decided that it is only fair to stick with him for another year,” Razzak said.

“I think we will finish in a better position than we did last year and believe we have players who can form the cornerstones of a strong squad next season.

“I have been slightly disappointed with the results because we are not where I would like us to be but I think we have one of the best squads we have had for a number of years.

“The team play some good football at times and I have noticed a real improvement in the games I have seen.

“The plan this year was to get into the play-offs and it will be the same next season. I will be disappointed if we do not manage that next year.”

Away from the field, work continues behind the scenes to secure a new stadium for the club. A site at Down Grange is now out of the question and while progress has been slow going, Razzak is planning to provide supporters with an update in the near future.

“People will be pleased to know that we are hoping to announce something in the next month,” he said. “I am not sure yet whether it will be good news or bad but we appreciate everyone’s patience on this matter.

“A lot of work is going on behind the scenes. We will not stop trying to make something happen and have had a lot of meetings with the council.”

When he took over as chairman in 2008, Razzak stated that he planned to do the job for three years before stepping away from the club.

By that timescale, he is due to enter his hard-earned retirement from the club this summer – but these plans have been put on hold.

“I think it would be wrong of me to step down unless asked to do so,” he said. “I am not here to hog the position unless I am adding value and I hope that the record shows that the club has come on in my time as chairman.

“We have managed to stabilise the club, increase awareness and reduce debts but my aim has always been for the club to be self sufficient and not reliant on me or anyone else.”