Nikki Bull has revealed that Mike Fondop-Talom will not be coming to Margate after all.

The 22-year-old striker was unveiled as Bull’s first close season capture in May, but amid claims from his previous club Billericay that they were due a transfer fee.

Manager Bull says Margate pushed ahead with the signing after receiving assurances from the player and his representative that he was free agent.

A statement released by the Blues on Friday added: "Information was provided to us before talks began that an agreement was in place between the player, his representative and Billericay Football Club whereby the player was allowed to leave on a free transfer.

"Billericay Town Football Club have made it clear that, in their opinion, no such agreement exists with the player and that they are due compensation for the player.

"Margate Football Club will not be held to ransom for a fee that they believe is not due and have decided not to go ahead with the signing of the player."

Bull said Margate's decision to walk away from the deal was because they were not prepared to risk the situation going to a tribunal.

He explained: “We entered negotiations with Mike on the basis that he was available on a free transfer because he had been told verbally by Billericay that they no longer wanted him.

“I’m 99.9% certain that Billericay aren’t due a fee but we just can’t afford to take the risk if it went to a tribunal.

“Contrary to what some people believe we don’t have a pot of money and certainly would not be able to pay what they are asking which is astronomical.

“The person I feel sorriest for in all this is Mike, who thought he’d signed and is now caught up in all this ‘Who said what? I rate him, he’s raw but he’s got potential and I would like to have kept him.

“None of this is very fair on him but myself, John (Gate chairman John Webb) and Ryan (chief executive Ryan Day) sat down and thought it was best if we walked away.”