BRAINTREE Town manager Alan Devonshire revealed Ben Wright was offered a deal he couldn’t refuse after the big striker elected to join the Iron’s Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Forest Green.

The 23-year-old scored 18 goals in his single campaign at the Amlin Stadium last season and struck up a fruitful partnership with Sean Marks, who is staying put.

Devonshire was keen to keep former Kettering hitman, Wright, but insists he was powerless to stop the player leaving the big-spending full-time outfit.

“The offer made to Ben was too good for him to turn down, it was a fantastic deal and he could not refuse it,” said Devonshire.

“I am disappointed as he had forged a good partnership with Sean Marks but I wish him all the best.”

Highly-rated goalkeeper Nathan McDonald is staying with Iron for another season while Kenny Davis has also agreed to stay.

Devonshire is also working hard to bring new blood to the club and could have a clutch of new arrivals at the club soon.

“I’m talking to a few players and I would like to think we could do something in the next two or three weeks,” said Devonshire.

“The players will be from the lower leagues, that is where I do a lot of my business and we have had our targets for a while.

“I am looking for a squad of 18 or 19 players next season as we were a bit light towards the end of last season.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Jai Reason, who has yet to sign a new deal with Iron, has denied any link with League One side, Preston.