Dig at the Reds management?

Manager Chris Keogh and assistant boss Neil Tooth are delighted with summer recruitment work so far at Evo-Stik Northern Premeir League First Division South club Sutton Coldfield Town.

July 1st cannot come quick enough for the Royals management team as they will finally be able to register and announce the new signing for the coming season.

Tooth spoke of the hard work that has gone in since the season ended in April: "We have not stopped at all really for any sort of break.

“We like to get our business done and dusted early as a rule but the game is changing and more and more players are holding out to see what is the best deal they can get and refuse to commit. In my day you just wanted it sorted so you could enjoy the holidays but I think some players want to massage their egos a little and have two, three or even four teams chasing them.

“We won`t release any names either until they are registered as that is another part of the game that`s changing. Some managers trawl the internet looking at who has left where and who is signing where and they will get on the phone and offer that player a deal knowing that we can`t register them. I`m afraid it`s part and parcel now and with so many Midland clubs playing at the same level, chances are more than one other club are in for the players we want."

Asked about the new recruits, Tooth said: "We have six new faces that have agreed and we have another two that will come in pre-season with a view to signing. But until they are registered we won`t be taking anything for granted.

“We have had two players shake hands on deals and then back out and we have also had a player use us to get a better deal from his current club, so we will always remain a little sceptical. It`s a shame cause it makes you not trust players when most are honest and straight but as in any walk of life it`s the odd few that give others a bad reputation."