Sutton United boss Paul Doswell insists missing out on former Millwall trainee Charley Hearn will not de-rail his plans to bring Blue Square South football to Gander Green Lane in 2010.
The United chief found absence doesn’t necessarily make the heart grow fonder this week when the 25-year-old spurned the manager’s advances via text on Monday.
The midfielder had agreed terms with Doswell a fortnight ago before issuing news of his u-turn when the Sutton manager returned from a five-day break in Spain at the weekend.
It brings United’s transfer dealings abruptly to an end this summer having missed out on the signatures of Tony Finn, Richard Jolly and Andy Walker due to their financial demands.
However, Doswell has secured the services of Billy and James Hawes, Bradley Woods-Garnes, Danny Phillips, Kevin Scriven, Jason Goodliffe, Hasim Deen, Sonny Cobbs and Anthony Joseph.
And he reckons that is more than enough to secure the promotion his side came within two victories of last season.
“We had agreed terms before I went away and I got a text message from Charley this week, saying the time wasn’t right for him to join us,” he said.
“I’m not too bothered because at the end of the day Danny Phillips was the key man for me. I’ve got him and Bentley Graham as my playmakers.
“That is it now. We are not in the market for anybody. Unless someone in the striking department comes up, then I’m happy with what I’ve got.”
Doswell is hopeful Steve Watts will be fit to play full pre-season games against Dulwich and Met Police prior to the start of the campaign having recovered from a second knee operation - just in time for the clash with Tottenham Hotspurs announced this week.
A strong Spurs side will be at Gander Green Lane on August 11 after White Hart Lane assistant Kevin Bond - a close friend of the Sutton boss - finally bowed to pressure from his pal to agree the fixture.
“The game is only a few days before the start of the Premier League season, so we are hoping a few big names might still need to prove their fitness,” added Doswell.
“I think Kevin just did it to shut me up. It has all been rubber stamped. They are publicising it and Sky Sports have it on their website. While it might not be a full strength side, it is not going to be a youth team and it will be packed with internationals.”
Tottenham are not the only League side to be visiting Sutton this summer with Brentford already confirmed as opponents on July 22, and Doswell is hoping more will follow suit.
“Crystal Palace are set to bring a first team side for the Presidents Cup match in honour of Andrew Letts, but a date hasn’t been agreed,” he said.
“And I’m still working on Matt Le Tissier at Southampton to get them down. It could be a good set of fixtures for us.”
It has also been announced Sutton will play Winchester City on July 15.
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