Bashley block Bond's proposals (From Bournemouth Echo)

Bashley block Bond's proposals

8:00pm Thursday 5th April 2007 in

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KEVIN Bond is unlikely to pursue his interest in Richard Gillespie and Pete Castle after neighbours Bashley put the block on the duo having a trial with Cherries.

Dean Court boss Bond was hoping to run the rule over the highly-rated pair - together with AFC Totton's Mike Gosney - during a forthcoming reserve game.

But although Totton have indicated they would be prepared to allow Gosney to try his luck, Bashley have made it clear their players will be going nowhere.

The New Forest outfit yesterday issued a statement which said "none of the club's leading players are available for transfer or sale" and that "any substantial offer for any player would almost certainly be rejected".

Striker Gillespie and defender Castle, who are both under contract to Bashley, have played leading roles in the club being crowned Southern League Division One South and West champions this season.

Bond told the Daily Echo: "I know Bournemouth have taken players from non-league before and they've done very well for them. If the players had a desire and were interested in making the step up, we would have been interested in having a look at them.

"I don't think anybody would want to stand in the way of an ambitious person, never mind a footballer, and if somebody thought they could make the grade then that would have been great for them and us.

"If they had wanted to do it and Bashley had been happy, they would have been compensated if we thought they were good enough. Nobody was trying to pull a fast one. We are trying to make the best use of the clubs around us and have a working relationship with them.

"We would be glad to help them in any way we could, and, hopefully, vice-versa. But if either the club or the players are uncomfortable with it then that isn't a problem either."

Meanwhile, Bond is hoping Cherries can take a giant step towards securing their League One safety with victory over fellow strugglers Bradford City at Dean Court on Saturday.

Cherries welcome back both Neil Young and Karl Broad-hurst, but Shaun Cooper is ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Luke Summerfield has an ankle problem.

The Bantams, who graced the Premiership just five years ago, are currently eight points behind Cherries in the final relegation berth.

Bond said: "They will be disappointed to be where they are when you think where they were not so long ago but nobody has a divine right to hold a position in any league."

"We need to make sure they don't gain any ground to strengthen their position and weaken ours. We will be doing everything we can to take maximum points."