The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding United supremo Pat Rayment has issued a hands-off warning to rivals Holbeach United after they admitted their interest in re-signing striker Andrew Tidswell.
Responding to John Chand’s comments in last week’s edition of The Spalding and South Holland Voice, Rayment reminded Holbeach that Tidswell is under contract – and insisted that he’ll not be released from that agreement under any circumstances.
Co-Holbeach chief Chand said last week that Tidswell was “the best player he’s ever worked with” and added that he’d “jump at the chance” to re-sign him.
The two-time UCL Premier Division golden boot winner won the title under Chand’s charge back on 2012/13 and was a firm favourite at Carter’s Park before making the switch across the South Holland divide to the Sir Halley in the summer of 2013.
Rayment has poured scorn over any chance of Tidswell heading back to his old hunting ground – and retorted by refusing to rule out a move for Holbeach defender Jonny Allen.
The versatile Allen was part of the Spalding side that won the UCL Premier Division under Rayment last season and has always been held in very high regard by the former Peterborough United professional.
The fired-up Tulips chief said: “I’ll place this on record now – Andrew Tidswell is going absolutely nowhere.
“He’s under contract here and his circumstances will not change whatsoever.
“With regards to Jonny Allen, obviously we’ve put seven days in for and then signed Jamie Stevens from Holbeach.
“So we can’t go back to Holbeach for 28 days.
“But all I’ll say is watch this space once that period is over.”
Joint Holbeach chief Graham Drury has responded to Rayment’s interest in Allen by confirming that the defender is free to leave should he wish. But he’s expecting him to remain at Carter’s Park.
He said: “I’m not one for the seven day formalities, if Jonny wants to go to Spalding he can.
“I’ve spoken to Pat. I’m aware of his interest in the player and he’s aware of my view on the matter.
“But I’ve also spoken to Jonny and he told me that he would like to stay here.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’d expect him to stay with us.”
