WISBECH Town boss Steve Appleby yesterday questioned star midfielder Callum Reed’s ambition after the highly-rated youngster agreed a move to fierce rivals King’s Lynn Town.

The 20-year-old snubbed a possible switch to Blue Square Premier side Cambridge United to link up with the Linnets - who like Wisbech play at Step 5 of the non-league ladder but in the United Counties Premier Division.

Lynn’s management duo of former Fenmen boss Gary Setchell and Kevin Boon completed the paperwork last night, with Fenmen skipper Paul Cousins also mulling over a cross-border exit from his hometown club.

Appleby said: “Nothing surprises me in football because I never expected Callum to be with us next season so it’s not a blow or shock.

“However, it’s disappointing that he’s gone to a club at exactly the same level as us and he’s done that for ridiculous money really. They’ve blown us and Cambridge United – a Blue Square Premier side – out of the water.

“Reedy was going to train with them so it shows what sort of money they’re wafting around. The most disappointing thing for me was that Callum said he wanted to go onto higher things and I was happy for him to do that.

“I thought he was ambitious but this proves that money talks.”

Reed refused to discuss his reasons for the shock U-turn just months after he declared signing for Lynn would be a sideways step in his career.

Appleby said on Cousins: “I’m just hoping Cousi sees a bit of sense. He’s more of a local lad and he’s been here for a while.

“I just hope that tugs at his heart strings which gives us a chance of making sure he doesn’t go down that road too. He loves playing here and he’ll enjoy his football here more than he would if he joined King’s Lynn.”

Appleby insisted life will go on for the Ridgeons League Challenge Cup winners if they lose their talismanic captain, who is poised to announce his decision later this week.

“They’ve offered him silly money but I just hope he sees through that,” he said.

“I would never do anything that puts this club in trouble so if he decides to go to Chelsea or Man City – I mean King’s Lynn – then so be it. We’re looking at other players and as much as I don’t want to lose Paul then if he goes we’ll deal with it. These things happen in football.

“Kevin Boon can say what he wants about his club but at the end of the day they’re in the United Counties Premier Division. That’s still step five in the non-League ladder which makes them no bigger than us.”