Bully: I won’t pay over odds

Stafford Rangers manager Steve Bull has lamented the non-league transfer market and insists he won’t pay over the odds this summer.

See also: Bully: Back McCarthy’s moves

Bully has a fair bit to do in the transfer market, with what was 12 players on the books reduced to 11, after Ross Draper signed for Hednesford after rejecting a new deal.

Highly-rated goalkeeper Danny Alcock’s decision to stay is probably the biggest boost, with his understudy Danny Allen also staying on.

Captain Wayne Daniel and striker David McNiven have a year left on their deals.

Ishmael Reid, Alex Gibson, Jonathan Loukes, Tom Ingram and Nick Wellecomme join new recruits Nuneaton midfielder Carl Palmer and Witton Albion schemer Dave McPherson as the complete squad.

But the Stafford boss is adamant he wants players who are worth every penny of what they cost - and he will not go any higher.

He said: “Some of the money flying about this summer is unreal. Mediocre players, or who I consider to be mediocre players, are moving for big wages.

“I will not be doing that. If they are not worth what they are being paid they will not be coming here.

“I am working within a budget and I will stick to it. I will not risk the safety of this football club by paying over the odds. Too many have tried and failed. Look at Nuneaton.

“I had players coming into me after we had been relegated and asking for more money than they were on the previous year.

“If they can get that elsewhere, then good luck to them. But I cannot understand how they can ask for more money after we have had such a bad season.”

Despite his depleted numbers, Stafford were not short of bodies when they undertook their first pre-season training session last night.

Bull added: “I had 10 trialists come down for the start of pre-season training out of their own pocket. All they want is a pre-season under their belts.

“I want that sort of hunger from players. That sort of situation is win-win for the club.

“If they are not good enough, they will be thanked for their time. If they prove themselves, I will have no problem signing them up for next season.”