Liskeard Athletic manager Leigh Cooper has shrugged aside the disappointment of missing out on several transfer targets to make two good signings for the Blues.

Saltash United striker Carl Pender, who had a short stay at Lux Park last term, has signed for the Blues along with Tavistock's experienced front-man Andy Bowker.

'Both of these lads were

featuring regularly for top

six sides last season and play in an area where we were struggling during the last campaign,' explained Cooper.

Scoring goals was certainly a major headache for Cooper and his assistant Tony Richardson last term, as only three clubs in the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League scored less than Liskeard's 39 League goals.

Cooper revealed that he is still in negotiation with other players, and admitted: 'We hope to add two more faces to the squad before the campaign kicks off.'

The former Plymouth Argyle skipper was bitterly disappointed after shaking hands with two players, and verbally agreeing terms with another on the phone, only for their present clubs to offer them enhanced financial incentives to remain.

'I haven't got a problem with the lads involved... my problem is with the clubs as when they were told that the players were leaving they just threw more money at them to sway their decision,' he said.

'It's disappointing that clubs cannot hang on to players for football reasons and have to resort to financial ones, but who could blame the players in this current economic climate – I certainly do not and I don't bear any grudges towards them.'

Cooper is convinced that some teams in the League will find themselves in financial difficulties before the coming campaign is completed.

'It's more about the state of local football, as some clubs are paying out lots of money – and it's the reason this League has got the reputation it has,' he admitted.

'I don't want to get involved in a slanging match – and that's why I won't name the team involved – but if a player is worth £30.00 a game then he shouldn't be worth more just because another side has made an approach.'

Cooper and Richardson, with the exception of Chris Sully who has joined Torpoint, have retained most of last season's squad, although he did admit that moves to tempt Sam Hughes and Joe Carey to Lux Park failed.

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Torpoint Athletic are left searching for a new manager

for their Carlsberg South West Peninsula League side after the sudden resignation of both Gary Tiffany and Darren Potter.

The pair only took over for the final third of last term, following the resignation of Ian Stephens.

Rumours of a rift with the second team were rife during the close-season, although neither the club nor Tiffany and Potter would go into the reasons for the decision.

Club chairman Paul Whitworth revealed: 'I have received a message informing me that Darren Potter and Gary Tiffany have decided to stand down as joint-managers of Torpoint Athletic's first team.

'The timing of this is obviously not ideal and is extremely disappointing, but the reasons behind the decision are not for airing in the public domain.

Departure

'More importantly, the committee needs to act rapidly to find a

replacement.

'Anyone interested can contact me, confidentially, on 07917 794 557 or leave a message at the club on Plymouth (01752) 812 889.'

Tiffany was also tight-lipped over his and Potter's decision, simply saying: 'There are many reasons for our departure.

'But those who matter at the club are well aware of what they are and the public domain is certainly not the place to announce them.

'I don't intend to get into a slanging match with anyone, but I will say that Darren and I did not take this decision lightly.

'We had almost completed our squad for the coming season, which was a mixture of youth and experience, and were both eagerly awaiting the first friendly but the situation became untenable.'

When asked if he would be looking to stay in football, Tiffany replied: 'At the moment I am thoroughly disillusioned with non-League football.

'Very average players are getting paid ridiculous amounts by clubs that will very soon find themselves in financial turmoil.

'I think I need a break which allow the game to find its level again and become about enjoyment and not big business.'