Fans bemoaning King's Lynn Town's lack of financial outlay this summer have been given a simple message by boss Gary Setchell.

Some supporters have taken to forums and social media to complain that the Linnets are not spending enough money to be able to push for an Evo-Stik Premier Division play-off place next season. However, Setchell – who insists the budget he has at his disposal is no less than he operated on last term – is quick to defend the financial values held by those in power at The Walks. And he insists that if the Linnets' faithful want to see more cash being dished out, they must start digging into their own pockets and pay to attend the club's home matches.

Setchell, whose side welcome a Cambridge United XI tonight for Town's latest friendly fixture, said: 'Look at Worksop. They spent triple our budget last year, finished about eight points ahead of us, and have gone bust. What good's that now? They're playing Step Five. We're not in a bad spot. We're not going to do what Heggsy, (Carl Heggs, ex-boss) Bobbins (Ken Bobbins, former chairman), and Chinn (former director Michael Chinn) did. That's not going to happen again. We're going to play football at the end of the year and we're going to be competitive.'

When asked if fans will directly affect the budget available to him by coming through the turnstiles, Setchell said: 'Yes, that's the situation – it is what it is. The chairman (Buster Chapman) has balanced the budget on what we're (attendances) expecting. He's said clearly before he's not going to put the club at risk.'

Chapman, who reformed Lynn after they went bust in 2009, reportedly spent a vast sum from his own personal purse to ensure Setchell didn't have his playing budget cut last term. While early exits in the FA Cup and Trophy didn't help, a decline in attendances hardly improved monetary matters.

Things haven't started well this pre-season with Lynn's most high-profile friendly against Norwich City attracting a crowd of little more than 200. The Football League U's are also likely to be bringing a mixed squad of first, reserve and youth players with them to The Walks. For Lynn, midfielder George Thomson, who has been on trial at Chester, returns to Setchell's squad.

Elsewhere this evening, Great Yarmouth Town welcome Norwich United.