HAMPSHIRE have had to say "thanks - but no thanks" to three international cricketers because they are not as flushed with cash as people think.

As Alan Mullally put pen to paper yesterday to join Shane Warne in the Hampshire line-up for next season, Hampshire chairman Brian Ford tried to squash the myth that mysterious rich backers are bankrolling the club's search for honours.

"We have been approached by three top players who have said they want to play for us, but we have had to politely say no to them.

"Word has obviously got round that the club is full of money, which is why they approached us, but it's not the case," said Ford.

Hampshire's bold move in bringing two of the world's top bowlers to the County Ground has led to the inevitable question: "Where's the money coming from" but Ford revealed that Hampshire have not yet got the full funding in place, and that they are taking something of a punt.

"We are talking to people at the moment with a view to helping us with their wages, but we consider their signing as an investement."

Ford was also quick to quash reports of the size of the salary being paid to bring Mullally south.

"Some ridiculous figures are being bandied about, but I can tell you categorically that we have not upset our wages structure to bring Alan Mullally here, and nor would we. He is not getting paid anything like the £90,000-a-year figure that's been mentioned.

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