We can confirm that Forward Luke Hopper has left the earlier this week.
Luke joined the club in June 2022 after joining us from Yate Town, the striker was leading the scoring charts earlier in the season and scored 9 goals for the club. Hopper leaves the club in order to gain further match time opportunities. Manager Danny Greaves commented, "Luke Hopper leaves with our blessing and I wish him nothing but success for whatever he decides to do next.
Over the past few weeks since the Exmouth game we have reviewed everything in great detail. We have changed a lot. We have also played Owen Humphries slightly higher in a position he has flourished in, Ollis has been in fantastic form all season and we want to try and maximise his strengths, Reece Rusher gives us another excellent attacking options, whist JD has recently returned.
All of these factors led to an honest conversation, whereby it was clear in the short term, starts would be limited for Hopper. Whilst I wanted him to stay as he still offers a great option, I respect that at the age he is, he wants to be playing week in week out.
I have nothing but praise for the lad, as the year has not played out they way either if us would have liked, and he has handled every difficult card he has been dealt in an exemplary professional manner, and even turned down two approaches over the past couple of months.
All the best Hopper.
We will now take stock and review our options to see if we can strengthen the squad to give us the best chance of picking up a goods points total. We have lots of games to play in a very short window with plenty to play for, so will need the best possible squad to compete." Everyone at the club would like to thank Luke for all his efforts this season. Good luck Luke.
WATCH: Luke Hopper grabs a brace, including this volley away to Larkhall Athletic this season.
These departures : Hooper , Baker & Hallet are seriously weakening our squad. JD has become a bit of a 'sick note' and his continued presence can not be guaranteed either. We have no cover at centre back what so ever and our forward options without JD would look very limited indeed.
No wonder some fans are seeing this as a cost cutting execise taking into consideration our financial plight and the addition of a 'financial' director?' Hopefully, Rusher is coming back and can flourish at this level. It wouldn't take much, a few injuries / red cards, to plunge this squad into crisis.
G