AFC Fylde manager Dave Challinor admits money talks as his preparations continue for the forthcoming National League season.
Several of Fylde’s early transfer targets have been attracted away by the bright lights of the Football League, whilst they face competition for others from their big spending National League rivals.
Although Challinor says his club don’t have the financial clout of the likes of newly-promoted Salford City and relegated Barnet and Chesterfield, the Coasters boss hopes the lure of success will tempt some of his top targets.
Challinor said: “It’s slow, it’s hard work and it’s frustrating. We are in a situation where a lots of team are after the same players, however I am confident that we will get players that will improve the squad from last season.
“Hopefully over the next couple of weeks we should see a few new faces come through the door.
“I don’t want to become desperate because it’s about getting the right players rather than signings for the sake of it.
“An awful lot of players that we have been interested in from our division have moved up into the League, but there are still players out there. Football League clubs are an attractive opposition.
“Money is always a big contributing factor. We aren’t going to break our structure and we are realistic as to where we are at.
“There are certain teams at our level that have three times the budget that we have, but we aren’t going to get the violins out. It’s a challenge but it’s a challenge that will test us and we will learn from.
“The players are out there and I have confidence in our ability to spot them.
“Some of the money club’s are spending on wages at this level is significantly higher than others. Further down the pyramid, it may be fifty quid here or there, but now it’s significantly higher.
“I can’t have too much say on that side, I just have to try and sell the package and the club to players. People have to see that we will give them a platform to perform and to put themselves in the shop window.
“The type of football that we play allows players to express themselves and prove that they can play higher up.
“We proved that we can compete at the top end of the table without the biggest budget.
“I’m sure that come the first game we will have a strong squad that is ready to hit the ground running and make a better start than last season.”