Star defender Jamie Stevens looks to have played his last game for Spalding United after deciding to move back to rivals Holbeach United.
Stevens, who has won the UCL Premier Division title with both the Tigers and Tulips in the past three seasons, told Spalding supremo Pat Rayment about his decision on Friday.
Rayment rates the central defender very highly, but has said that there will be no road back to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field for him.
“Jamie has just sent me a text message to say he’s going to Holbeach,” said Rayment. “I can’t hide my disappointment about it.
“He’s one of the very best defenders at step four, let alone the UCL. And to have that kind of quality on the doorstep is rare.
“But I have to draw a line under it now. Going back to Holbeach is something of a bolthole for Jamie and enough is enough. They’ve offered him something we can’t match, that’s that.
“I wish him well, but he’ll not play for Spalding under my charge again.”
On the flip side, Holbeach chief Darren Jarvis is delighted to have reached an agreement with a player he deems a “club legend”.
He added: “Jamie Stevens is a legend at Holbeach United. Everybody from the committee to the fans love him here.
“As a manager at any level all the way up to step two, you’d want him in your side.
“I’m ecstatic and over the moon that he’s decided to come here. There are lots of reasons why he’s decided to and we’re just delighted that he’s bought into what we’re doing as a club.”
More to follow from both camps.
