POPPIES captain Wayne Crutcher denied he had been approached by Wimborne boss Steve Cuss in the week that team-mate Jon Blake joined Magpies.

Poppies boss Ken Vaughan claimed last week that Cuss had made approaches for both Blake and Crutcher as a potential tapping up row unfolded, while Cuss vehemently denied the accusation.

A club must submit a seven-day approach prior to speaking to registered players, and cannot return to the same club for another player within 28 days during the season.

The injured Blake was aware of Wimborne’s interest as he watched Poppies’ clash with Alresford Town on Tuesday, but didn’t comment on the row.

However, while Crutcher admitted that former team-mates had encouraged him to head to Cuthbury, he said there had been no approach from Cuss.

He said: “I haven’t spoken to anybody from Wimborne directly – absolutely not. Rumours spread pretty quickly in non-league.

“Of course, I have a lot of friends at Wimborne from my Poppies days and I always keep in contact.

“It is always great to be linked with clubs at a higher level but, at the moment, I am a Poppies player and I am for the foreseeable future.”

Meanwhile, 24-year-old Blake, who signed for Magpies on Thursday, said the opportunity to join Wimborne had been too good to refuse.

After his team’s 1-0 win over Totton & Eling on Thursday, Poppies boss Vaughan said: “I think Wayne is very diplomatic in those situations, but what has happened is in the past now.

“Jon Blake is a great lad who we will miss, but we wish him all the best with his career.”