IAN Robinson has piled on the misery for his old club AFC Totton by signing their dynamic little striker Paddy James for his new club, Lymington & New Milton.

Only a fortnight ago, the 22-year-old from Calmore ruled out linking up again with his old boss because New Milton was too far to travel.

At the time the former Blackfield & Langley hotshot had his heart set on staying with Totton, but delays over finalising the Testwood Park budget have again cost the Stags dear.

James is the sixth Totton player to have flown the nest and joins fellow ex-Stags Ben Thomson, Darren Curtis and Ollie Shaw at Fawcett's Field.

Robinson, above right, who left the Stags in February after seven successful years at the helm, may yet go back to inflict further damage on his old club with defenders Stuart Ritchie and Matt Parnell figuring high on his wanted list.

With former Bashley reserve marksman Kevin James already in residence, the Linnets frontline will have a touch of the Wild West about it.

Robinson laughed: "We've got the 'James Gang' here now and we're hoping they'll be the fastest guns in the west! I think Paddy got 35 goals in all competitions last season and Kev was the top Wessex Combination scorer. I don't know how they'll do together, but it should be an interesting partnership. Paddy's a great acquisition."

Those sentiments were echoed by Robinson's assistant manager Richie Phippard, who reckons the coup will earn them pride of place in chairman Charlie Hewlett good books.

He laughed: "When Ian and I were having our first talks with Charlie, he said we had to get Paddy James down here and now we've done it! I bet he'll be pleased."

More good news for the Linnets is that former Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth midfielder Russell Beardsmore is a step closer to joining the club.

The 33-year-old recently left a coaching post at the Bolton Wanderers Academy to move back south for family reasons.

Beardsmore, who quit the Cherries four years ago because of a persistent back injury, has come successfully through a two-week fitness trial at Dean Court and will be training with the Linnets this Tuesday and talking terms with chairman Charlie Hewlett.

It is hoped he will combine a player-coach's role with overseeing youth development at the New Forest club.