WINCHESTER City manager Graham Kemp has hit back at Hamworthy counterpart Simon Browne in the controversial row over clubs returning to the Wessex League.

Browne suggested the likes of Sholing and Winchester should be deducted 10 to 15 points after dropping back down from the Southern League for financial reasons.

The Hammers boss claimed that would help create a “level playing field” and deter clubs from using the Wessex to “get their finances in order”.

But former Christchurch boss Kemp, who led Priory to third position last season, blasted Browne’s suggestions and said voluntary relegation was better than established outfits going out of business.

And the outspoken City manager claimed that bigger clubs would enhance the league and suggested Hammers’ manager should focus on his own team’s performance.

Kemp told the Daily Echo: “Simon didn’t just finish behind teams that came down to regroup last season.

“He openly admits the likes of Christchurch and Alresford had little or nothing to play with and they finished in the top three so, maybe, that is where he should be looking to finish.

“Sholing applied to come back down and whoever made the decision could have said no.

“I daresay if they had been told they would face a 15-point deduction, they would have stayed up and the club might have gone bust. Nobody wants to see that.

“It is definitely frustrating for smaller clubs, of course it is, but without disrespect to anybody, I am much happier Sholing and Winchester came down and we got rid of Hayling.

“I would love it if Gosport, Wimborne, Fleet, Poole and all those teams came back to the Wessex League, even if I was at Christchurch with no budget, because those are great games to be a part of. You should want to test yourself against the big teams.”

Winchester were in line for a relegation reprieve despite finishing bottom of the Southern League, but dropped because of ground-grading issues amid financial concerns at the time.

Kemp added: “It is no secret we want to go back up, that is the reason I have joined, but there are no guarantees we will.

“It is going to be a tough league and we are in a rebuilding process. I think Winchester will add something to each club we visit.

“The average crowd in the Wessex was 50 to 60 last season but we will take more than that to away games.”