AFC Totton claim there is only one reason they failed to land ex-Saint Kevin Gibbens from Zamaretto South & West rivals VT FC – money.

The 30-year-old’s experience and versatility appealed to the Stags but the bottom line, according to manager Stuart Ritchie, is that they couldn’t afford his wages.

While VT boss Dave Diaper suggested it was Totton who were offering “large sums of money”, Ritchie insists the opposite is true.

“We met up with Kevin Gibbens twice and we offered him a deal, but we couldn’t afford to match the wages VT are giving him. It was too much money for us and that’s the reason we didn’t sign him,” he said.

The Stags boss admits he also rang Vospers centre-back Lee Bright, who wasn’t interested in leaving Portsmouth Road, and had talks with VT’s exciting, young strike prospect Lee Wort.

At just 18, Wort is viewed as one for the future but, again, Ritchie says his wages were out of Totton’s price range, reasoning “He’s only a teenager and it was way too much money for a kid.”

Totton have signed winger Jonathan Davies from Chippenham Town, but have otherwise drawn a blank so far in the transfer market.

“Players want too much money and, unfortunately, we haven’t got it,” said Ritchie.

For more non-league, including VT boss Dave Diaper's views on Totton's failure to land Kevin Gibbens, don't miss today's Daily Echo.