COACH Tim Collier insists Bournemouth need to step away from amateur status and fund player expenses if they are to flourish in National Two South.

And while the former Worcester Warriors powerhouse has faith in the current squad, Collier wants to see up to 10 new faces recruited ahead of another gruelling season in English rugby’s fourth tier.

The giant lock’s comments come on the back of Bournemouth’s relegation battle last term.

Collier claims some sort of payment is a must to help existing players as well as director of rugby David Dunn’s recruitment drive.

The Chapel Gate outfit have always stated they do not pay any money to players, but Dunn hinted towards a change in policy towards the end of last season.

Lions chief Dunn confirmed talks are ongoing but says the issue is not specifically on the agenda for tonight’s club AGM. However, Collier is keen to relieve the pressure on the club’s unpaid players.

In a candid interview with the Daily Echo, former Premiership star Collier said: “At National League level, it shows the players who do their training away from the club.

“You get players who may want to put in the extra time but, financially, can’t. It is very hard for them to strike that balance and if there was money to help the players, it would be awesome. The majority of our team have got decent careers and don’t rely on any money out of rugby – they do it because they want to be there.

“But in the long term, we are going to have to pay the players because the squad we have will probably start drifting off as they get that little bit older and other things take over.

“I think we need to recruit at least 10 players in all positions.

“We definitely need to beef up the squad. The players we have got are good enough but we do need to strengthen for a tough old season.

“A lot of players want to be paid and we are out there searching for cash as well. It all comes down to money and we need to attract as much sponsorship as we can. I genuinely feel that, off the field, we need to be a lot more organised with the financial side of things, with expenses maybe.

“I don’t think wages in people’s pockets is necessarily the way forward but as long as everyone is looked after to a certain extent, on and off the field, we will be okay. A lot of the boys travel from all over the region and it would make life a bit easier for them to have at least their costs covered and, maybe, a few drinks bought in the bar afterwards.”