ERNIE Howe is saddened that former Saints midfielder Kevin Gibbens is contemplating dropping down the football pyramid when he should be moving up.

After an impressive first season for Howe's Basingstoke Town in the Ryman Premier Division last season, Gibbens is set to become the seventh summer signing of wealthy Wessex champions Eastleigh, who are preparing for their debut in the Dr Martens Eastern Division.

Stoke informed Gibbens they intended to retain him when his one-year contract expired even though the player had spoken of hanging up his boots at the tender age of 23.

Howe explained: "Kevin said he wasn't particularly interested in playing, but I said I'd retain him so that if he changed his mind he could come back.

"We sent him a letter to that effect and he should have replied saying he either accepted or rejected it. But he didn't reply, so we assumed he had accepted even though we knew he'd been talking to Eastleigh. I had a call from Eastleigh manager Paul Doswell last weekend saying they were going to sign him. But we can't agree a fee so it looks as though it will go to tribunal."

Because Gibbens is not 24 until November 4, Stoke are entitled to a fee for the tigerish Southampton-based player, who looked set to join Oxford United when he was released from The Dell the season before last.

Instead he drifted into the non-league game, having brief spells with Woking and Newport IoW last summer before joining Stoke, initially on a trial basis, a week before the start of the 2002/3 campaign.

Howe, who guided his talented, young Camrose Blues to a fine fifth placed finish, said: "I think that possibly Kevin lost his ambition when he left Saints, but he shouldn't be playing at our level, he should be playing higher.

"First he's dropped down to play for us and now he's dropping further to go to Eastleigh, but if he wants to earn more money at a club that's on his doorstep then I can't begrudge him that.

"It's a pity though because he's a good player. He passes the ball well, sees situations on the pitch and is very competitive. He's the type of midfielder we haven't had here for a long time and I think he's one of the reasons we had such a good season.

"He played in nearly all our games and will be a big loss for us, but it's his decision. I rated him highly, but what do you do? It's the same old scenario. It all comes down to money."

Basingstoke have a vacancy for a friendly - home or away - on Saturday, August 9. Contact Ernie Howe or Pete Peters at the club office on 01256 327575.