Last updated at 12:17, Friday, 13 July 2012

Workington Reds will not be held to ransom by players demanding “silly money”, insisted boss Darren Edmondson.

Darren Edmondson

Admitting he doesn’t have the financial clout behind him to challenge other clubs for signatures, Edmondson said he was prepared to be patient to make sure he had the perfect squad for next season.

Being forced to play cat and mouse by players and agents trying to squeeze more money into deals, the 40-year-old said he would love to add more experience to his squad.

He added: “The kind of experienced players we’d like to bring in are commanding a much higher wage than we can pay at this time.

“They are asking for huge money. It’s silly.

“We’re speaking to players all the time but I’m having to ignore some phone calls as I don’t have the kind of money they want.

“The longer pre-season goes on, the more desperate players become to find a new club, and then we might be able to bring experienced players into the squad.

“Wage demands drop the closer it gets to kick-off, and we will have to be patient.

“Until then, the young lads have come in and coped with everything we have asked from them.”

Eight trialists played as Workington lost 3-0 in their opening pre-season fixture with Barrow, and the same players are expected to travel to Whitehaven tomorrow for the Shaun Hocking Memorial Trophy clash (2pm ko).

It will be the first time Stuart Green will come up against his former club.

First published at 11:31, Friday, 13 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk