NORTHWICH Vics are set to scoop a record transfer fee of almost £130,000 if Gary Fletcher's loan spell at Hull City is successful.

The 19-year-old, who made his debut for the Tigers as as substitute against Exeter City on Saturday, will net Vics £22,500 even if he returns at the end of the season.

But if Hull decide to buy the striker, the fee will be £150,000 with the initial loan payment deducted to leave £127,500 as the final price tag.

Fletcher has scored 15 goals for Vics this season, the bulk of which came in November and December when he made a name for himself nationally during Vics' FA Cup run.

At this time, the board said they wouldn't accept less than £250,000 for one of the Conference's hottest properties, who was attracting interest from the likes of Queen's Park Rangers, Derby County and Fulham.

However, Fletcher has since struggled with injury and fitness as well as form, netting only once since Vics went out of the FA Cup three months ago.

Therefore, chairman Rod Stitch thinks the Hull deal is good business for the club.

"We valued him at quarter of a million, but we realised that was limiting him to Premiership and First Division clubs," said Stitch.

"There was a lot of interest but nobody took the risk so we have to be realistic."

With the transfer deadline looming, Rochdale were the only other league club to make a concrete offer, although Fletcher was having trials with Bolton Wanderers last week.

"The thinking is that if Gary goes on loan and they buy him we get a reasonable fee. If they don't we've got money for nothing," said Stitch.

"We can't stand in his way but we wouldn't have loaned him out for nothing. If he doesn't impress at least we've got money to help us thorough the rest of the season."

The cash from the loan won't automatically go into funding more players for Keith Alexander's squad.

Stitch added: "If Keith comes up with a player he wants we have to see if we can afford it, but it's unlikely we would want to pay a fee.

"After paying for Talbot, Blundell and Mitchell, we feel we've spent enough, unless it's someone particularly exceptional."

Although Hull may not seem to be the glamour move which was once predicted for Fletcher, it worked for Northwich goalkeeper Andy Oakes, who moved to Boothferry Park from Winsford in 1998 an is now a regular between the sticks for Derby County.

Such a meteoric rise would also benefit Vics, who have sell-on clauses to thrash out if Fletcher's move is made permanent.

Life after Fletcher began at Hayes on Saturday, Vics picking up a vital away point ahead of this Sunday's home clash with title favourites Rushden & Diamonds.

There is still competition for places in the forwards, with Richard Mitchell and Graham Lewis vying for a start, but Gregg Blundell and Adie Mike are likely to keep their places.

Mark Bailey is also pressing for a spot in the starting line-up after scoring a late equalizer on his return as a sub from suspension at Hayes.

The Rushden match has been moved to Sunday to avoid a clash with England's World Cup qualifier with Finland on Saturday and kicks off at 3pm.