Buckie Thistle manager Graeme Stewart says Highland League clubs think they are playing Championship Manager when it comes to valuing transfer targets
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Certain Highland League clubs are “living in a fantasy world” when it comes to transfer valuations, says Buckie Thistle manager Graeme Stewart.
The Victoria Park boss has managed to bring in just one new signing since the end of the last campaign, taking in experienced goalkeeper Stuart Knight from Forres Mechanics.
His moves to sign other players have been halted by what he described as unrealistic prices being put on the head of some targets.
Stewart even referred to the computer game Championship Manager, which puts football fans in the virtual hotseat, and said some of his league counterparts believe they are playing the game in the real world.
“You go to speak to clubs and you are quoted thousands upon thousands of pounds for players who are not worth it,” he said.
“There are certain clubs in the Highland League who are causing this domino effect and they know who they are.
“Some of the clubs are living in a fantasy world in terms of valuations.
“Now people are scared to sell players in case they can’t get other players in for a reasonable fee.”
In all his time at the Victoria Park helm, Stewart said he has never paid over the odds for a transfer target and refuses to splash out silly money in an effort to bring in the players he wants.
“I don’t believe in it,” he added. “I have never paid a big fee for a player, and even some of the lower fees I have paid for players I have done it through gritted teeth.
“I work with budgets, I know how to balance the books and unfortunately there are some other managers out there who come in and think it is Championship Manager.
“We have been sensible and we are not going to change that. No matter the circumstances, I am not going to spend money willy nilly on players who may not be worth it.”
Two players who will be like new signings to Stewart next season are captain Kevin Fraser and centre back Sam Morrison, who both missed virtually all of last season through injury.
Morrison will start pre-season next month, almost a year on from the broken ankle he sustained.
Fraser may require minor surgery on his hip injury but Stewart said: “He has been seeing specialists and we are confident we will get him back early from that.
“Those two are invaluable in terms of what they would cost in today’s market.
“They are the priority for us and they will make a bigger impact than signing new players will, and our focus is getting them back as quickly as possible.”
