Hippolyte surprised by Coyne rejection

Johnson Hippolyte admits he is surprised midfield playmaker Paul Coyne has rejected the chance to play Conference South football with Maidenhead United in order to join his home town club Burnham.

After Coyne left Windsor & Eton,  Hippolyte came calling, but the 23-year-old turned down the Magpies to sign for Jamie Jarvis’s Blues.

“I spoke to Paul early doors and made him an offer – a good offer for us,” confirmed Magpies boss Hippolyte.

“You would think a player like that would jump at the chance to play at our level.

“I rang him a few times, which I don’t usually do, but he chose Burnham.

“Me and Keith Scott can’t understand it.”

Hippolyte's move for a local player at a lower level club indicated he has resorted to recruiting low cost options in the wake of financial difficulties at York Road.

"My first thought is always can I pick up a local player," he said.

"If you can and within budget then brilliant.

"I would rather players lived close in Maidenhead and Windsor rather than Ipswich, but more often than not they are not good enough."