ROBBIE Lawton has left Altrincham searching for a new skipper after reluctantly sacrificing his Moss Lane career for the sake of playing first-team football.

The hugely-popular Alty skipper admitted he was ‘gutted’ at ending a five-and-a-half year stay with the club after discussing his prospects with manager Lee Sinnott, in the wake of Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat by Gloucester.

Within 24 hours of the news being released, altyfans.co.uk had received more than 70 e-mails praising his contribution. The whole-hearted midfielder, who is looking for another club, paid tribute to their unwavering support by saying: “I can’t thank them enough. There have maybe been times when I struggled with injury or lost form a bit, but they were always supportive. They are a special bunch of people, with exemplary morals and values.

“I always remember, when Graham Heathcote approached me about joining Alty, he described it as a people’s club that was run on proper lines. He said the fans will take to you, as long as they can see you are totally committed to the club on and off the pitch. That was all I needed to hear, and I hope I have shown that in the intervening years.”

Explaining his decision to consult Sinnott, he added: ‘Three central midfielders were picked ahead of me against Gloucester, then our right-back picked up an injury. Still didn’t get on, and I thought that wasn’t a good sign.

“When I saw the manager, he made it clear I was welcome to stay and be part of the squad, but, in the normal course of events, I wouldn’t be featuring in the team.

“Fair play to him, he didn’t mess me about our give me any flannel. He told it how it was and said he thought the answer to our current difficulties lay outside the club, rather than from within.

“I just couldn’t see myself training all week, knowing I wouldn’t be playing football at the end of it. I’m absolutely gutted to be leaving, but I couldn’t just let my career fizzle out. I’m leaving with a real sense of sadness but also with great memories of playing for a fantastic club.”