David Jeffrey has always welcomed the investment in Irish League clubs but accepts it brings its own challenges for the other teams.
In recent months Ballymena United have made public the need for them to cut their cloth with the club stating it had to be "realistic moving forward" as it looks to compete against a "league of increasingly full-time clubs".
The battle for a top six finish seems to be getting more difficult with every passing season.
Read next: Coleraine issue statement on mammoth 10-game ban for Jamie Glackin
The gap currently sits at 20 points between six and seventh place in the table.
But rather than complain about the situation Jeffrey insists clubs have to "hang in there" and take the fight to the rest in whatever way they can.
“From the get-go, whether it’s the investment of Mr (Kenny) Bruce and Mr (Ali) Pour or what is happening elsewhere, I’ve been a very strong advocate that it is good for the League and it’s important everyone continues to invest,” he said.
“The gap between the top six and bottom six is being talked about more and more and, while we must be thankful for the continuing investment in the game, it’s important for the rest of us to hang in there.
"We had to restructure at Christmas, we had to trim our squad down and go with the bare minimum. Are we lying down? No we are not.
"Can we find other income streams? Can we do things differently? Ordinarily, it is a difficult challenge but I’m not going to suddenly turn away from how the product has improved. Whether the League will ever be able to go full-time, that’s a massive ask.”
Securing a place in the end of season European play-off is key for the Sky Blues but they desperately need to find some form in the league.
Tuesday night's defeat to league leaders Larne took Ballymena's run to seven games without a win.
With Crusaders, Coleraine, Glentoran and Larne all coming up in their next four games it doesn't get any easier for Jeffrey's men
"I'm not going to make excuses, we are on a difficult run," he said.
"The two games that have disappointed me were against the teams in and around us.
"We had hoped to get something out of the games against Portadown and Carrick, but the other teams we played have all been going for the league.
“I’ve gone out of my way not to talk about the difference between full-time and part-time but on nights like Tuesday night against Larne, you don’t need to.
“But I’d a group of young men who were at their work all day and they came here and gave everything they could and were beaten at the end of the day by a better side. But they contributed and didn’t lie down, and that’s the analysis.
“It’s going to be tough at Seaview on Saturday but that’s the nature of the beast.
"We’re playing against sides who are going for the League so points are at an absolute premium and all we can do is dust ourselves down, give our best and see where it takes us."
READ NEXT:
- Irish FA confirms position on transgender inclusion following LGFA move
NI family heartbroken as man who sold them LFC tickets disappeared
Only two players escape Gary Hamilton's wrath as defeat leaves him 'disgusted'
Inside Linfield FC's full-time academy and what it hopes to achieve
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
