New Wroxham boss Stewart Larter is refusing to get drawn into a war of words with his old club Gorleston.

The former Greens manager has come in for criticism by his ex-chairman Alan Gordon after taking six players, plus assistant Cedric Anselin, with him over to Trafford Park. And even though he has been accused of decimating the squad he helped guide to last season's Norfolk Senior Cup success, Larter does not want to get involved in a public row.

The Yachtsmen chief said: 'I don't really want to respond to what's been said. I'd rather not talk about it. It's a great club, I had a great time there, I had a good relationship with Alan Gordon so let's just leave it at that.'

Gordon publically aired his disappointment about Larter after it was confirmed that Anselin, Elliot Pride, Andy Howell, David Hinton, Jack Garrod, Steve Taylor and Christy Finch were all following him across the county to Trafford Park. However, with Gorleston having withdrawn their application for promotion at the end of last term, the Ryman Division One North rookie feels many of those players would have left Emerald Park – even if he hadn't gone to Wroxham.

'I do think these guys would have had offers from a higher level,' said the man who has moved one tier up the non-league ladder by swapping jobs.

'Having spoken to them I think a few would have gone. That's the simple fact of football. If Gorleston would have gone up half may have stayed and some may of gone. Which ever way it went it was always going to be a bit of a rebuilding job.

'It's great some want to come across with me. I guess it's testiment to the trust we have in each other and I'm just looking forward to getting started.'

Despite adding a host of experience to his ranks Larter insists he won't forget Wroxham's ethos of bringing through young players. He just wants to ease youth-teamers into first-team action in a 'more controlled manner'.