HAWKS REMAIN FIRM ON BOSS LEE DEMAND
HAVANT & Waterlooville chairman Derek Pope has warned Hartlepool United they ‘might fall over’ when they discover the compensation package needed to prize away manager Lee Bradbury from Westleigh Park.
Bradbury has become Pools’ number one target to replace the axed Matthew Bates, but they fear a deal could be difficult to do for the former AFC Bournemouth boss, who has led the Hawks on back-to-back promotions to the National League.
Pools were given permission to speak to the 43-year-old earlier this week, but Hawks chief Pope is adamant that they won’t release their popular boss without a fight.
“If Hartlepool want him they will have to pay us a large sum of compensation,” Pope said. “It is written in his contract and they might fall over when they find out how much.
“Whether that will prove to be a stumbling block remains to be seen. We gave them permission to speak with Lee after they approached us.
“I was a bit surprised that he flew up the next day to meet them, but that’s football.”
Bradbury’s negotiation capped a busy week of movement in the National League.
Nowhere was busier than Chesterfield, who made a number of players available for free transfer or loan, including Kyel Reid, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Shwan Jalal, Joe Anyon, Michael Nelson and Robbie Weir, while Zavon Hines joined Bromley.
Elsewhere, Aldershot Town brought in striker Gerry McDonagh on loan from Barnsley, while AFC Fylde’s Ashley Hemmings joined Altrincham on loan.
Striker James Constable swapped Eastleigh for Poole Town, Tobi ShoSilva moved to Chelmsford City on loan from Dover, while Astley Mulholland, released by Barrow, rejoined Colwyn Bay.