FINANCIAL haves and have-nots exist at every level of football -- from the Premiership to non-league's lower echelons.

And at St George's Lane last Saturday, the fiscal disparity among Nationwide North clubs was unravelled.

On the one hand, money-tight Worcester City announced free transfer signing Dennis Pearce, another player to leave crisis club Redditch and who joined to add depth to Andy Preece's squad.

While on the other, Kettering manager Kevin Wilson revealed prior to his side's 2-0 defeat that the Poppies have submitted club record bids for two players.

The Rockingham Road outfit's record signing is £25,000 for striker Darren Collins from Rushden and Diamonds in November 2000.

Kettering were bought out last October by a consortium led by businessman Imran Ladek, so presumably they boast the necessary cash to splash.

If Wilson completes the massive deals in the transfer window, likely to be for non-league's leading names, it will send shockwaves through Nationwide North.

Very few can compete against Kettering's financial muscle, although Stalybridge Celtic and Northwich Victoria have shown to have good resources.

Money, as so often is the case, is behind all the top clubs gunning for titles and promotion.

Chelsea are set to lift their Premier League title, while Reading and wealthy owner John Madejski are running away with the Championship.

In non-league, well-resourced Grays Athletic clinched last season's FA Trophy and, following promotion from the Conference South, are now poised for the Football League.

Worcester may struggle to achieve their dream of Conference football without the bucks to spend.

At this moment in time, City are on a separate level to the big spenders. Despite a fruitful FA Cup run that generated much-needed cash in the region of £200,000, the club is still knee-deep in debt.

Manager Preece is restricted to a playing budget that is no better than half the sides in this division.

Although City paid £8,000 for Adam Webster in December 2001 and a record £10,000 for Jai Stanley in November 2003, Preece insists he will not resort to paying fees for players.

To gain future success, Preece must be exceptionally canny in the market, spotting potential and harnessing it. Chris Smith and Justin Thompson have proved excellent signings, along with veteran Des Lyttle, but more must follow.

Experienced defender Pearce is the City's first signing since last summer and Lyttle believes the former Notts County and Peterborough full-back will prove another fine addition.

"Dennis is here and that's a good acquisition," said Lyttle. "He's been on the Football League scene and around non-league, so he'll bring a wealth of experience and knowledge.

"The squad has been light from day one, ever since I've been here. People like Troy Wood and Sam Wedgbury have played and there's been a couple of other young lads on the bench.

"No disrespect to them, but we are putting in 16 and 17-year-olds and they are having to do jobs in this league, which is quite tough."

"So the gaffer has looked at that and knew he had to bring people in. He's started with Dennis and hopefully there will be a couple more coming in soon to bolster the squad and push us on."