Maidstone United manager Craig Fagan determined to use his budget wisely after being ‘blown out the water’ by big-spending rivals

Craig Fagan is embracing the challenge of bringing the right players to Maidstone United while big-spending rivals flex their financial muscles.

Boss Fagan says the Stones have been “blown out the water” at times by fellow National League South clubs throwing big money at summer transfer targets.

He’s held constructive talks with potential signings only to find that money talks when it comes to getting deals done.

“We’ve had interest from targets and the people we’ve had conversations with, and shown around the football club, have been majorly impressed,” said Fagan, who succeeded George Elokobi as manager at the end of last season.

“I’ve spoken about what I want to do with the team and about previous seasons under George and now myself, and they’ve been really interested, but then we’ve been blown out the water by some of the offers of the other clubs in this league.

“You’re not talking £100 or £200 a week difference, sometimes you’re talking £300, £400, £500 difference, and that’s maybe to players from the league below coming up, as well, so we’ve got to do things the right way.

“I don’t want to be wasting money. Yes, you have to take a gamble on someone in the league below, but it’s a lot of money to be spending and getting it wrong.

“We need to be doing the right business for the football club and the fans, so that we don’t get into stupid situations.

“We’re trying to do it properly. I want the team to be competitive, I want us to be around the play-offs, and I want the fans to be proud of the team we’re putting out.”

Fagan needs to box clever and he’s up for the fight as he assembles his first Stones squad.

Maidstone may not have the money to compete with the carefree spending of some other clubs but they have a