ACCRINGTON Stanley have rejected a £20,000 offer from Yeovil Town for winger Gary Roberts.
Stanley wasted no time in rebuffing what they regarded as an insulting bid from the League One side.
"We had an offer which I think is derisory," said Reds chairman Eric Whalley. "I sent a fax back asking them where the missing nought was. Unless that was there I wouldn't even speak to them about it."
Roberts caught the eye of several League managers last season with some outstanding performances in Stanley's Conference title triumph.
The 22-year-old left-sided player, snapped up from Welshpool by boss John Coleman in March, 2005, scored 13 times and was capped by England's non-league side.
Recently appointed Yeovil manager Russell Slade is the first to test the water with a cash bid for the player but anyone hoping to prise Roberts away from the Fraser Eagle Stadium would have to find a major six-figure sum.
Coleman is keen to keep Roberts as he prepares his side for its Football League return but would not stand in the way of any player given the opportunity to enhance his career - provided the price is right.
"I don't want him to go, but I have a good relationship with my players," said the Stanley boss.
"If they can better themselves and it's a good deal for the club I would pat them on the back and let them go. But I don't think this would be bettering himself."
Aside from drastically undervaluing Roberts, Yeovil are hardly flavour of the month with Stanley, having lured midfielder Anthony Barry to Huish Park at a potentially critical phase of last season.
And despite the signing of former Port Vale wideman Sean Doherty, Roberts will be a key player for Accrington when they kick-off their League Two programme at Chester City on 5 August.
Stanley start pre-season training next Monday and defender Michael Welch will be part of the squad after agreeing a new deal. Coleman has invited in a number of trialists as he looks to secure up to three more new signings.
