Ryan Robbins the latest to leave Daniels

Stamford AFC’s leading scorer for the last two seasons Ryan Robbins has left the football club.

Robbins asked to be released from his contract with the Daniels and was due to signed the paperwork confirming it last night, despite him being the top scorer at the club this season with six league goals.

The St Kitts and Nevis international has not signed for a new club yet and will become a free agent.

Robbins said he was not sure which club he is going to join but feels it is the right time to leave Stamford.

Robbins’ departure leaves Stamford drastically short of strikers having seen Greg Smith swap the Daniels for Grantham Town last week. He was offered a deal by the Gingerbreads which Stamford felt they couldn’t match.

Midfielder David Bell also exited the club during the week, signing for Spalding United.

That leaves the Daniels with just Jordan Smith and teenager Jordan Neal as recognised strikers.

Robbins’ departure ends a week of great upheaval at the club.

Last Tuesday Stamford AFC parted company with long term manager David Staff, bringing in Andrew Wilson as a replacement.

Wilson wrote in his programme notes for his first home game: “Over the next few weeks it is inevitable that you will see some comings and goings as I try to shape the squad to my ways of working. Please bear with me over that time period and rest assured that every single decision I make is in the best interests of the football club.”

Robbins said the change in managers has certainly influenced his decision to move on.

Speaking to the Mercury Robbins said “ I haven’t really bought into what he’s [Wilson] saying he’s shipped out players, influential players, liked players, and I just feel the time is right.

“He put up no effort to convince me to stay so it’s time to leave and get back to playing happy and enjoying it.”

Robbins said it is unlikely he would be leaving the club if Staff was still leading the side.

He said: “Staffy would break his back to help players, that’s the difference. His departure came as a shock and I thought it was the wrong time especially with the FA Cup right around the corner. It came at a bad time.”

Stamford were eliminated from the FA Cup second qualifying round on Sunday when they lost 2-0 away at lower league Coleshill on Sunday.

Two days later they drew 3-3 with Sutton Coldfield in the Evo-Stik NPL where they sit second from bottom in the league.

Robbins added: “I just want to thank the fans for the support and noise they made throughout my two and a bit seasons at the club. They made me feel at home and I wish them all the best.”

Robbins joined the club in August 2013, scoring on his league debut, a 6-4 win over Frickley Athletic. Last season the striker scored 17 goals in 40 appearances and helped the Daniels lift the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy. He won the same cup in 2013-14 when he notched 25 goals in 50 games.

Robbins made his international debut in March this year in St Kitts and Nevis’ 2016 World Cup qualifier against Turks and Caicos Islands.

He earned two caps, scoring in his second appearance.

l The Mercury contacted the club for a comment, but had not received a response at the time of going to press.