Dean has eyes wide open at size of rival budgets

PeterboroughSports manager Jimmy Dean has had his eyes opened wide again by the bigspending antics of their rivals in the Southern League Central Premier Division.

Nuneaton Borough have taken on former million pound striker Leroy Lita (Middlesbrough and Reading both paid six-figure fees for a player who is now 35) and have also captured top-rated nonleague midfielder Marcus Kelly from Kettering Town.

There were rumours former Liverpool striker Milan Baros (40) was in talks with Borough as well, but this is thought to be false.

“I’ve said before that if these big clubs get their act together they will be hard to stop,” Dean said. “And looking at the players being linked with the league it really puts into perspective what we achieved last season and how hard the new season will be.

“I’m happy to be going in with largely the same squad though. These clubs might have more well-known players, but they won’t have our spirit and togetherness.”

Sports, who were top the Premier Division when last season was halted, opened their pre-season campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win at Spalding United on Saturday before losing 4-2 at Posh at on Tuesday.

That represented a considerable improvement as Posh beat Sports 9-0 in a friendly two summers ago.

Dion Sembie-Ferris, Matt Sparrow and Mark Jones scored at Spalding. Jordan Macleod and Cameron Johnson netted against Posh.

Sports are at Yaxley on Saturday and then travel to Wisbech Town on Tuesday (August 11).

Leroy Lita (left) in action for Sheffield Wednesday.