ALRESFORD Town are simmering in silent rage after having new signing Tyrell Mitford snatched from their grasp.

The Magpies had high hopes for the 20-year-old former QPR hitman when he joined them from Sydenhams Premier Division rivals Team Solent at the start of the month.

But he has gone without so much as kicking a ball, tempted away by the offer of Southern Premier Division football with Alex Pike’s Gosport Borough.

While Gosport’s official website states that Mitford joined them from Team Solent, the player had already been registered on Wessex forms for Alresford before making the switch to Privett Park.

Magpies boss Richard Luffman said he was “too angry” to comment on Borough's intervention, stating only that the search for a replacement is under way.

He at least has the consolation of keeping hold of highly-rated centre-back Lukas McCartney, who was also believed to be high on Borough’s wanted list.

Mitford, who has just completed the first year of a coaching and sport development degree at Southampton Solent University, was released by QPR in May 2015 after playing for their under-18s.

Last season he starred for Team Solent as they reached the FA Vase fifth round and the final of the Southampton Senior Cup at St Mary’s.

Gosport, newly relegated from the National League South, have made a flurry of signings.

The versatile Alek Przespolewski has put pen to paper, while ex-Eastleigh wideman Ramone Rose has re-signed having joined Borough two-thirds of the way through last season.

Isle of Wight-based Przespolewski was part of Winchester City’s Wessex title-winning team of 2011/12 and has also played for Havant & Waterlooville, Petersfield, Kingstonian, Newport IW and Cowes Sports.

Popular, Devon-based midfielder Aaron Dawson will remain at Privett Park for 2017/18.

He will be joined by Bournemouth-based midfielder Matt Buse from Taunton Town, Gosport academy graduate Jack Breed, a right-sided midfielder who spent last season dual-signed at Whitchurch United, and 19-year-old Ashton Leigh, a left-sided defender/midfielder signed from Salisbury.

Leigh is the son of vastly experienced midfielder and former Newport IW manager Steve.