WINSFORD United have made their first summer swoop by signing striker Paul Higginbottom from Chorley.

Manager Mark Came has raided the club which tore away eight of his squad when he took over as manager in February.

However, it wasn't enough to save Chorley from relegation from the UniBond Premier and the reluctance of some players to stay with a First Division side could mean some making a return journey.

Came was disappointed with the turn-out for his first pre-season training at Knights Grange on Saturday.

He said: "Four or five didn't turn up. I phoned them on Sunday and they said they are shopping around because clubs have offered them other things.

"I can see it's going to be a couple of weeks before we know exactly what we've got. A lot of players are asking for more money and signing-on fees - it's a big stumbling block."

A team going in the opposite direction to Chorley, newly promoted Droylsden, could hijack some of United's plans with lucrative offers to many players, with as many as 60 turning up for their training sessions.

"We've got a job on our hands but we need to get a decent team and I know we can do it," added Came.

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