Billericay Town boss Craig Edwards has revealed that experienced centre-back Lee Kersey is the latest in a growing list of players to choose his side over a move to local rivals Concord Rangers.

Edwards says that in the past two months no fewer than five players have opted to play for Town despite the offer of more money at Concord.

He said: “We have had to fight off a few approaches from Concord but, other than money, what else have they got to offer?

“We are an established club and I think players have decided to stay here because they can see what we are trying to achieve and it matches their own ambitions.”

Kersey, who initially joined Billericay from Harlow last winter, turned down a move to Concord this week and instead opted to return to New Lodge following a brief spell with Conference South-side, Boreham Wood.

His arrival comes shortly Billericay captain Ian Cousins rejected an approach from Concord.

And that followed James Lawson's arrival at Town from Concord, shortly after fellow striker Bertie Brayley had made the same move.

Edwards also revealed that young striker Danny Charge also turned down a move to Thames Road while at Billlericay, before later choosing to go to Boreham Wood.

Concord joint manager Danny Cowley said the situation reflects the difference in status of both clubs.

He said that while Billericay should expect to be pushing for promotion, his newly-promoted side would be happy to avoid relegation.

He said Concord had released Brayley by the time he decided to join Town, and there are no hard feelings over the move.

He said he felt Lawson had been drawn by the prospect of playing in front of much bigger crowds at New Lodge, and they could not persuade him to stay at Concord.

He explained that Cousins had been interested in a move to Concord and that is why they had put in a seven-day approach, but that the outcome of late talks with the Billericay chairman had persuaded the defender to stay with Town.

He said that after Billericay had publicly announced that Charge intended to leave they approached the player, but were not surprised when he opted instead for a team in a higher division.

And he said he could fully understand Kersey's decision to return to a club where he is held in high esteem by fans and officials.

He added: “We accept that Billericay is a bigger club, and will find it easier to attract players.

“But I think that because of our recent success people automatically assume that it is just down to money.

“But Dan [Cowley, joint manager] and I find that a bit disrespectful because we work very hard here, and we will continue to do things in what we see as the right way.”