OPEN warfare has been declared on West Bromwich Albion - with PNE offering £200,000 for the newly promoted side's stars Scott Dobie and Neil Clement.

The ridiculous offer was made by North End chairman Derek Shaw in response to the £1million bid made for skipper Sean Gregan after eight weeks of media rumour and speculation.

A bid had been expected for in the region of £2.5million - and Shaw believes the move was timed to ensure maximum disruption to PNE's inspirational skipper.

"This is not on," said Shaw. "For about eight weeks they (WBA) have conducted business through the newspapers and to then come in with an offer of £1 million for our club captain is a joke."

A similar practice was by Wolves as they tried to snatch Jon Macken last season. His form dipped and he eventually signed to Manchester City.

"We've had one bad experience with a key player being unsettled, and the fans know who that was.

"If WBA need to sink to this level, it is very sad for football.

"I thought they'd gone to the Premiership, but this bid makes me think they are in the Second Division.

"We are seriously thinking of making a £200,000 bid for Scott Dobie, it's on a similar level to their bid for Gregan!"

PNE boss Craig Brown apparently laughed when he received the bid.

Chief Executive Tony Scholes added: "Fans know that normally we do not discuss transfer dealings until a deal has been done. In this case though, we feel we must make an exception.

"Not only because of the derisory nature of the bid, but also the way things have been done.

"The bid is so far below our valuation of Gregan, and WBA know this, that we felt obliged to tell the supporters."

As is normal practice at North End, Sean Gregan and his agent have been informed of the offer, and they have both been told that the bid has been rejected.