Preston boss Graham Westley cannot raid Stevenage
Last updated on .From the section Football
Stevenage have revealed that Graham Westley cannot approach any of his former players about joining him at Preston this January.
Westley was confirmed as the new Lilywhites boss at the weekend.
And Boro chairman Phil Wallace says the compensation deal between the clubs included assurances over his players.
"[There] is a covenant that none of our players can be contacted by anyone at Preston until after the season has ended," he told the club website.
"Fundamentally we are not a selling club anyway. We have no need of transfer funds to remain solvent and I prefer to build, improve and invest into our team over time, not weaken it.
"So unless an approach for one of our players would give them a life-changing income from a huge club at a higher level, we will ignore any approaches for any of our lads and continue to focus on winning games and moving up the football pyramid."
Wallace added he is in no rush to appoint a replacement for the manager who led them to back-to-back promotions.
"Time is not my concern. Finding the person that best fits the structure we have spent three years creating is my only driver for this appointment," he said.
Defender Mark Roberts, who took caretaker charge of the side for Saturday's 5-1 win at Rochdale, would not be drawn on whether he will continue in the role.
"I don't really want to comment on that," the 28-year-old told BBC Three Counties Radio. "All we were focused on was the game and making sure we got three very important points.
"It's never about an individual at this club. It's always about the team.
"I can't thank the lads for all the help they've given me. The support has been phenomenal."
