ACCRINGTON Stanley chairman Eric Whalley has slammed non-league rivals Altrincham after a failed bid to land midfielder Ian Craney.

The Reds today learned their bid to land the £50,000-rated Robins star was thrown out by the UniBond League outfit.

And Whalley has revealed that he now considers any deal for the 21-year-old as "dead in the water".

He said: "Altrincham have turned down our offer, claiming it's not enough. But if they think we will pay any more, then they are living in a dream world.

"This week, I have had 74 applications from players wanting to join us, so they will have to get real - and so will a lot of these players.

"Just because we are a Conference club does not mean we are here to be fleeced.

"We have already spoken to half-a-dozen players, but they will be treated exactly the same as Lee McEvilly.

"We spoke to him and made him one offer and he signed up straight away.

"Clubs are in the driving seat and it's a matter of take-it-or-leave-it, so as far as I'm concerned any deal for Craney is now dead in the water."