HAMMERS boss Simon Browne is resigned to losing two of his top players to Bournemouth Poppies – but he is battling to stop a third following them to Victoria Park.

The Hamworthy United manager yesterday confirmed that versatile midfielder Max Crow was on his way to Poppies, as well as talented left-sided player Richard Jackson.

But Browne revealed he was still in negotiations with Dave Ewen after the frontman also emerged as a potential target for the Winton-based outfit.

Poppies boss Kenny Vaughan politely declined to comment on the transfer talk.

But Browne told the Daily Echo: “We’ve lost Max Crow and Richard Jackson to Poppies, which is unfortunate. They were good players for me in the 18 months I have been at the club.

“They decided the grass was greener and that they would get more money and all the rest of it.”

Discussing Ewen, Browne said: “Dave had his head turned as well because Max and Jacko come from the same neck of the woods as him and they all used to travel together to Hamworthy.

“I have met with him and tried to persuade him he could achieve better things with us and no decision has been made.”

Browne, who had already seen former Cherries midfielder George Webb and goalkeeper Dan Ackerman join Wimborne Town, is planning to make signings of his own once his team begin their pre-season campaign.

Browne added: “We’re having to bide our time a bit because we are not in a position to throw money at players.

“I have got quite a lot of people coming to our pre-season training, which starts on Saturday.”

Browne guided Hamworthy to a much-improved season last term in his first full campaign at the helm in the Wessex Premier.