CHAIRMAN Tony Armstrong has admitted being saddened by the “exodus” of players from Harwich and Parkeston FC.

Several of last season’s first-team regulars have moved on since the club confirmed they would not be moving up from the Kent Blaxill Essex and Suffolk Border League into the Thurlow Nunn League.

Manager Matt Carmichael also opted to step down. Defenders Danny Claxton and Matt Stace have since signed for Stanway Rovers, while Joss Neale and Martin Calver are training with FC Clacton on Tuesday night.

Many others are also thought to be moving on.

“It’s a very sad situation,” said Armstrong.

“We had a good side, could have improved even more and, until recently, we were considering moving up to a higher level.

“But since we announced that it wasn’t viable to do that, everyone has left.

“They’ve all gone and it’s been an exodus.

“Now we’ve got to start again and it’s a serious situation.”