Wivenhoe Town boss Steve Pitt has reopened his war of words with Halstead Town counterpart Andy Clark over the Matt Stace/Michael Brothers deal.
The two youngsters swapped the Dragons for Clark's Rosemary Lane set-up, dropping from the Southern League division one east to the Ridgeons League premier division.
Pitt said the duo moved down a level just for money, arguing that Halstead had doubled their wages.
Clark labelled the claims 'nonsense', saying Brothers was on the same money while Stace was getting slightly more than he did at Broad Lane last season.
However, Pitt has fired back again, saying: "Andy's comments made a mockery of myself and Wivenhoe Town.
"I've known Andy for a long time and actually worked with him at Wivenhoe Reserves ten years ago. I've got nothing but respect for what's he's done at Halstead but the fact of the matter is that these players have not moved there because he's the best manager in non-league football.
"They have gone there because the financial incentive was too much to turn down. Halstead have some good players, but they are not there for £10 a week and anyone who thinks any differently is being naive.
"Everyone in the non-league game knows Halstead are paying out big sums but they don't seem to want to admit it."
Clark said: "My only concern is Halstead Town and I'm not really too bothered what anyone else thinks.
"I'm really happy with the signings and I think they'll prove to be excellent ones over the course of the season.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Tuesday, June 21, 2005
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