Wage demands in Vanarama National League South have shocked Maidstone boss Jay Saunders.

United have made six summer signings – mainly young players – and that looks set to be the end of their transfer business.

Saunders said: “There’s a phenomenal difference in how much money some people expect at this level.

“We’ve gone from Ryman South to National South in three seasons and there’s been a big jump in wage demands. We’ve missed out on a lot of players because of it but we run the club the right way.

“The nice thing with young players is money is the last thing they talk about.

“There are other players I’ve not even bothered meeting because you phone up and the first thing they want to know is how much we’re paying. That puts me off.

“I understand people have got to earn money and for a lot of players at this level it’s their only job.

“But you want people to be asking what we can do for them on the football side, not going straight to money.”