GOSPORT Borough say they could got more money from other clubs for the loan of their star striker Justin Bennett.

But having thrashed out a verbal agreement with AFC Totton, Borough felt it only right and proper to rebuff the increased offers that came their way – including one from Totton’s Southern 1 South & West promotion rivals Windsor & Eton.

“We had three offers come in from Windsor, Totton and one other club (Dorchester), but then Windsor withdrew theirs at 5.30pm last Thursday,” reported Gosport boss Alex Pike.

“Because Totton had been honourable with the way they had dealt with the situation, I made a verbal deal with them that evening.

“But then on Saturday morning Windsor came back and tried to better Totton’s offer. Not only that, some other clubs tried to get involved.

“But there has to be some loyalty and honour and it was important that the deal was right not only for Justin and for the club taking him, but also for Gosport Borough FC.

“I’d had lots of chats with Mick Budny and Stuart Ritchie (Totton’s director of football and team manager) and I trust that club 100 per cent – more than I do some of the others.

“So even though we were offered more money, I felt it was right for Justin to go to Totton for the rest of the season.”

Bennett, who is contracted to Gosport for another three years, will make his Totton debut away to AFC Hayes tonight and, according Pike, the former Andover and Eastleigh hotshot is hungry to be part of an ambitious side.

Until recently Gosport were aiming for the play-offs, but a dip in results threw them off course and they lost further ground when they were unable to pay their non-contract players, some of whom departed.

But Pike was quick to stress: “Loaning Justin out was not down to finances. He’s a contracted player and we would have carried on paying him, but Justin wanted to go somewhere for six weeks where he could be competitive and try and win things.

“With my Gosport manager’s hat on, I’m gutted to lose him because I love watching him play. But from a director’s point of view, it made business sense for him to join Totton. By loaning him out, it means our non-contract players can be paid.

“I wish Totton and Justin well, but I expect Justin to be back at Gosport for pre-season training."

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