I'm a tight Irishman it's not all about money!

GRAHAM Coughlan's bid to rebuild Boston United has unfortunately required several fruitless trips to Starbucks.

- BY CHRIS DUNLAVY

“I'm a tight Irishman,” explains the 50-year-old Dubliner. “So there’s nothing worse than going to meet someone in a coffee shop, spending £7.50 on a couple of drinks and then hearing they’ve joined another bloody club!”

Coughlan, who played in the Championship for Sheffield Wednesday and held managerial positions at Bristol Rovers, Mansfield and Newport, is only half joking.

“I do find that part of it frustrating,” he admits. “Especially when you hear they’ve gone to clubs lower down. I will always question a player’s ambition when I hear that.

“I understand that it’s a short career. I get that. I respect that people have bills to pay. But the world we live in now, £50 or £100 is not going to make a massive difference to you. Not in the grand scheme of things, anyway. So go and maximise your abilities.

“When you look back over your career, you've got to look at your medals. You've got to look at your appearances. You've got to look at your achievements and the levels you played at rather than how much you've earned in the game.

Personality

“But hey, I've had a half-decent career. I’ve played at Championship level so I don’t suppose the financial side was always a priority. For other lads it is.”

Coughlan’s frustration in the transfer market has been compounded by a summer exodus that decimated the side that heroically clawed back a 12-point deficit to secure a second season of National League football.

Ever-present right-back Jai Rowe has joined Scottish Championship side Raith Rovers, midfield lynchpin Keaton Ward was snatched by Altrincham and defender Brad Nicholson — who only rejoined the Pilgrims in February — switched to divisional rivals Solihull Moors.

A move from hybrid to full-time football has also cost Boston the services of veteran campaigner Michael Bostwick, whilst Tom Leak, Mitch Roberts and Adam Marriott all returned to Step 2.