LISKEARD Athletic manager Leigh Cooper has complained that the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League is by no means a level playing field financially, after he missed out on making three signings for the Lux Park club.

The highly respected former Plymouth Argyle captain was due to announce the captures last week, after two of the players shook hands on the transfers earlier in the week, with the other agreeing a transfer by telephone.

However, Cooper found out that the three players, whom he preferred not to name, were persuaded by their current club, believed to be a fellow Cornish outfit, to stay put.

Cooper said: "I haven't got a problem with the lads – you can't blame them, in the current financial climate.

"It's more about the state of local football. Some clubs are paying out lots of money, and it's the reason this league has got the reputation it has.

"I don't want to get involved in a slanging match, and that's why I won't name the team involved.

"Let's just say the players probably haven't made their decisions for football reasons. When we talked to two of the players, and they agreed to join us, we didn't even mention money," Cooper revealed.

Liskeard have retained most of last season's squad, although Chris Sully has joined Torpoint Athletic.