THE festive season may be upon us, but Corsham Town manager Mark Godley believes Devizes Town chief Brian Newlands has shown little of the traditional Christmas spirit by making an illegal approach for one of his players.

The Screwfix Direct League bosses are at loggerheads over the future of talented young left winger James Lye, who joined Corsham from Premier Division Melksham Town in September.

The player, who had held a conversation with a member of the Premier Division club, informed Godley after Saturday's match at Larkhall Athletic that he could expect to receive the necessary seven days' notice of approach from Devizes.

Corsham secretary Richard Taylor received official confirmation of Devizes' approach on Monday, but the club says it will take every action necessary to keep Lye at The Southbank in view of what they perceive to be an unfair approach.

Manager Godley is frustrated at Devizes' actions, and believes it is not the first time the club have made an illegal approached one of his players this term.

He said: "We have been made aware that Brian Newlands has been approaching one of our players. We believe it to be an unofficial approach and will be taking the necessary action.

"The seven days' of approach has now gone in officially, but that was after the player had originally been spoken to. We will not allow the player to leave the club until we are satisfied all appropriate action has been taken.

"It is not the first time this has happened with this individual and I will not allow it to continue. We are not a feeder club for Devizes and I just wish they would look elsewhere for their players.

"On Saturday night, the player in question took me to one side and said 'Devizes have made me an offer and the seven days is going to come in'. If anything he has been too honest, but it is not the fact it is James Lye, it is the whole principle.

"It was an illegal approach and I don't know how they think they are going to get out of it."

But Devizes boss Newlands has denied making any illegal overtures to the winger.

He said: "It is simply not true. I've put seven days in for James Lye, but I didn't speak to him beforehand.

"He's a player who will strengthen my team. Mark Godley beat me to the punch before, but he's a left-sided player and will enable me to move Nathan Perkins into midfield. If I get him, then good."

A host of players have played for both clubs in recent seasons, including Dave Kilmurray, Nigel Curtis, James Griffin and Chris James. Corsham first team regulars Matt Pratley, Craig Chaplin and Bryan Kayll have resisted moves from Newlands in recent months.

The Devizes boss is adamant the furore over Lye's future will not prevent him from approaching Corsham players in the future.

He said: "I'll just do what is best for Devizes Town. It's nothing personal against Mark. If I see a player that will improve my squad then I'll go in for him. That's the way of the world.

"When I was doing well in the First Division, I had seven days coming in left, right and centre. I had to deal with it and so should they.

"If they develop another player next week and I like the look of him, then I'll put in for him. We are all in a limited are a and, when you have a good player, these things happen.

The respective club chairmen, Colin Hudd of Corsham and Devizes' Chris Belcher, failed to resolve the situation when they spoke on Tuesday night and the First Division outfit are now taking advice from the league over their next course of action.

Screwfix Direct League general secretary Ken Clarke said: "There is no specific offence under our rules. The offence is committed against FA rules and is down to the County FA to take the first action. We could take action following that."