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Keith approached midfielders Paul Tait (30) and Craig Disley (22) about a move to the Imps, only for their excessive wage demands to rule them out of a move to The Bank.
Alexander admitted he had spoken to Paul Tait's agent only to be put off by his large wage requests, before the player joined rivals Rochdale from Bristol Rovers last week. It has also now emerged that Keith held talks with Mansfield Town midfielder Craig Disley's representatives, but he rejected the Imps in order to replace Tait at The Memorial Ground.
In the wake of Citys failure to secure any new faces at this time, Keith decided to speak to the local media about the demands of the two players.
"I know the fans are worried as to why we have not made any signings and I understand that," said Alexander. "But it's about time they knew what some of these players are asking for. I spoke to Paul Tait's agent about a move and he proceeded to tell me he wanted £1,000 a week, with £350-400 appearance money on top of that. That’s nearly £1500 a week. Craig Disley’s representatives indicated he wanted £800 a week and £350 appearance money.”
"That is ridiculous money for players who are not much better than those we have at the club already but if other clubs want to pay that sort of money then so be it. Good luck to them, but it's something I won't do unless it's for a player who will seriously improve my squad."
Lincoln fans need not cast their mind back too long ago to see the impact high earners affect clubs fortunes after the Imps nearly went under just two year ago. When Alan Buckley was in charge, veterans Kingsley Black, and Ian Hamilton as well as over hyped striker Tony Battersby were all believed to be earning in excess of £1,500 a week. All three were on long contracts and only left the club after they had accepted severance deals offered by the club.
But that was not before the club had its existence threatened when City entered administration in April 2002, with players' wages the main reason for the club's financial plight. Since leaving administration in August 2002, the Imps' cashflow situation has improved and Alexander has vowed never to see a repeat of that situation occur while he is in charge.
"Both Disley and Tait wanted too higher wages for this club to meet," said Alexander. "Three years ago we nearly went bust due to wages like that. I am not about to make the same mistake again - and I don't care what anybody says. After all the hard work in getting the club back on an even keel, the last thing I'm going to do is put it back in danger again. The chairman and the board know how I feel about that. There will be players out there who won't want big money, we just have to work hard to go out and find them.”
Finally Keith attempted to allay fears over the Imps inactivity on the transfer scene.
"What I want to say to the fans is I know they panicked last year when we hadn't signed anyone.
"Then we made three signings in mid-July. I know what I am doing and I am working hard in trying to bring players in, but not on silly money."
Keith has also failed in his attempts to bring a handful of other faces to Sincil Bank. Shane Nicholson opted to sign for Chesterfield over the Imps, but had the good grace to ring Keith and tell him of the reasons behind his decision, including higher league football and his current living arrangements in Derby.
"Shane said Chesterfield were a better option, because they were close to his home in Derby," said Alexander.
"His honesty was refreshing and I would like to wish the lad good luck at Chesterfield."
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