GOAL-MACHINE Lee Chambers was 'tapped up' by his new club Kendal Town, says Padiham boss Graham Howarth.

Howarth is furious that his 30-goal-a-season man has been snatched from under his nose by the UniBond First Division side.

And the Storks are ready to take action against the Cumbria side, who could have Chambers' registration revoked.

Padiham claim that Kendal made no official approach to the club regarding a move for Chambers, who scored 33 goals for the North West Counties Second Division side last season.

FA rules state that if a club is interested in signing a player, that club must give the player's club seven days notice before talks begin.

"I am annoyed," said the normally-placid Howarth. "They never once contacted us, it was real cloak and dagger stuff.

"We would never have stood in Lee's way, though."

Chambers is believed to have received a three-figure signing on fee and could be earning in the region of £80 a week. He scored a goal and made another on his debut against Radcliffe on Tuesday.

Kendal boss Mick Hoyle said: "We watched Lee a few times and were impressed. We spoke to him and asked if he was interested in stepping up and he said yes."

But Hoyle refused to comment on whether the club had given Padiham any notice of their intention to speak to the player.

It is thought that former Clitheroe and Great Harwood player Martin Eatough, who is now a coach at Kendal, alerted Hoyle to Chambers' ability. Padiham secretary Alan Smith said the club would be taking action.

"I have written to the Westmorland FA in Kendal and have asked them to investigate," he said.

"We know we are down the pecking order with regards keeping players and we were surprised that no one came in for Lee last season.

"We don't have anything against any player wanting to step up especially if they are offered good money.

"And we are not naive enough to think that clubs don't speak to players before the seven days is up but Kendal didn't give us any notice.

"We are upset that bigger clubs seem to think they can just come and pick off our best players without taking notice of the rules.

"This week it was us, next week it could be Darwen or whoever, they are breaking FA rules.

"All we ask is the club gives us seven days notice so we can speak to the player and sort ourselves out with a replacement if needed."

Rossendale United were fined earlier this season for signing Ramsbottom's Mike Smith without putting 'seven days' on him.

"We would like Kendal to be fined," said Smith. "But I wouldn't want the player's registration to be revoked because we don't want to punish Lee."

Padiham are at Norton United in the Worthington Challenge Trophy tomorrow (1pm).