STEVE Claridge has hit back at comments that Salisbury will win the Sydenhams Premier Division because of their rich resources.

After the Whites’ 1-1 draw at Sholing ten days ago, Boatmen’s boss Dave Diaper backed the Wiltshire outfit to take the title, stating: “Salisbury will be champions because they’ve got the resources to make any changes they need to go and win it.”

That brought a strong response from ex-pro turned BBC pundit Claridge, who claimed: “We are the only club who do it properly.”

Claridge, whose table-toppers have won seven of their opening ten league matches, said: “I bet their (Sholing’s) budget is bigger than ours. They should know better.

“If we win the league, it will be down to hard work – no one’s bought this league.

“At this stage, there’s things being said that aren’t true.

“People can think what they want, but we’re the only club in this league who do it properly.”

Salisbury were made to work hard for their latest victory by newly-promoted Cowes Sports.

After a somewhat drab 0-0 first half at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium, the Whites got their winner from the spot after livewire substitute Claudio Herbert had been brought down.

Herbert got up to convert the 55th-minute penalty, but it needed two good blocks from Whites ’keeper Gareth Barfoot – from Tom Scovell and Jordan Browne – to keep the lead intact against the industrious Islanders.

Salisbury remain two points clear of Andover Town and Sholing at the summit, although Neil Benson’s Andover have two games in hand.