BOSS Graham Kemp has lit the blue touchpaper ahead of Christchurch’s clash with Lymington tonight, claiming their rivals are one of the “biggest spenders” in the Wessex Premier League.

Kemp has reopened the touchy debate of payments to players just a couple of weeks after opposite number Stuart Hussey refuted suggestions Lymington had been splashing the cash this season.

While league rules permit wages and expenses to be paid, money matters have often been a bone of contention among managers, with Kemp insisting Priory are one of the few clubs to operate with no budget.

Kemp, speaking ahead of Lymington’s visit to Hurn Bridge (7.45pm), told the Daily Echo: “I read an article in the Pink a couple of weeks ago where Stuart Hussey said Lymington were not one of the big spenders in the league.

“I have been around for a long time and I know people at Lymington. I know what players are getting and I know what their budget is and it is one of the biggest. I am happy my information is accurate.

“I think Lymington are probably trying to put a bit of a smokescreen around being knocked out of the FA Vase, the FA Cup, the Hampshire Senior Cup and being down the table.”

Although the practice of paying players is within the rules, Kemp believes clubs should be made accountable for their budgets – and says he would be happy to start the ball rolling at Christchurch.

He added: “In the five years I have been here, neither myself nor anybody from the club has handed over one penny to a player. If there was any way I could prove that, I would.

“I get frustrated because people seem to think we have got a secret budget here but we haven’t got any players taking anything in wages or expenses. I don’t get a penny either and I manage this club at my own expense.

“Some clubs say they haven’t got a budget but you know the manager is putting in £300 of his own money every week. I don’t care whether a club pays £10,000 a week or £100 – I can only affect Christchurch.

“It would be good if every club had to lay out their books because it would be interesting to see who pays what. I would gladly be the first and then people could see we don’t pay a bean.

“I honestly believe we can win something this season and I certainly wouldn’t blame the absence of a budget if we didn’t.”

Early-season pacesetters Lymington arrive on the back of four successive league draws, while Christchurch have collected just three points from their past four games.

Priory: (from) Kearn, Grace, Costello, Legg, Crutchley, C Smith, M Smith, Fairbrother, Osborne, Burden, Griffin, Swann, Rideout, Kittle, Dand, Lovell.

• New recruits Ian Proctor and Maurice Stuart are in line to make their home debuts for New Milton against Fawley at Fawcett’s Field, while Hamworthy United will be looking to return to winning ways at Alton (both 7.45pm).

Linnets: (from) Amey, Barge, Harris, Stuart, Curtis, Drew, Proctor, Holland, Baldacchino, Tanner, Donaldson, Howes, Morris, Littler, Bailey.

Hammers: (from) Evans, Yelland, Lockyer, White, Haysom, Head, Corby, Robinson, Burbidge, Satterley, Pidgley, Cannie, Adetunji, Burkina.