DAVE Diaper insists there is no truth to the rumours that Sholing will have no money to throw at a Sydenhams Premier title push next term.

The Boatmen’s boss says the club must be prudent in their spending and remain ambitious – albeit with a large of dose of reality thrown in.

“There have been loads of rumours doing the rounds that we’ll have no money for next season, but that’s not the case,” he said.

“It’s true that we’ll be spending money more wisely in certain areas.

“Do we lack ambition? No. But we have to be realistic and the longevity of a club’s ambition has to be measure by the amount of people coming through the gate.

“If you’ve got crowds of 700 coming in like they have at Salisbury then you can plan for the next level at least. But if you haven’t, it becomes more difficult, because sponsorship and all the rest of it is not guaranteed.”

With just 97 clicking through the turnstiles for the recent 3-0 home win over top-six rivals AFC Portchester, Sholing – in common with most Sydenhams Premier clubs – can only dream of Salisbury-like pulling power.

It’s only two years since the Portsmouth Road club were lifting the FA Vase at Wembley but the harsh reality is that they will always struggle to attract crowds with Saints and Eastleigh on their doorstep.

Diaper, though, has a passion for the club and still gets a kick out of doing what Sholing have traditionally done best – bringing talented young players through.

“We’re a well-run club and we’re just happy to be bringing youth players through and giving them an opportunity,” he said.

“Sometimes there’s no need to be going out and getting named players. I think players should be picked on merit rather than reputation.

“This is a transitional period for us, but kids like Nick Yeomans and Jake Hoole have come in and served us well, while our senior players have put shifts in.

“Kev Brewster and Bryon Mason have both reached 400 games and Marvin McLean’s not too far off his 500th club appearance.

“Lads like Byron, Kev, Marv, Barry Mason and Lee Webber, who’s still signed on as a keeper, have been great for us.

“They give us stability and consistency – key words in any club’s success.”

The busy rumour mill is also suggesting that some of Sholing’s senior players will be heading for neighbouring Hamble Club – currently top of the Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier League – next season.

“You’re bound to get this towards the end of their careers, but we’re going to build a team in pre-season and hopefully challenge for the league next year – and you don’t do that without keeping your better players,” said the boss.

“We’ve signed a lot of our young lads on two-year deals because it’s important we protect the club’s interests as much as the players’.

“We’re trying to teach the young lads the right and wrong way of doing things and it’s a learning curve for them.

“Nick Yeomans doesn’t always start but, when he does, he normally turns up with a goal, and Jake Hoole’s doing well too.

“The main thing they’re taught is that it’s a team game and it’s important they realise they’re still on a journey.

“They’re on the train but there’s still 20 stops to go. They haven’t arrived yet!”