Halstead Town manager Mark Benterman said he wasn’t going to stand in the way of Gareth Thomas when the opportunity arose for his good friend to take the step into management.

Thomas has left the Humbugs to take up a role as assistant boss at Haverhill Borough and while it means the loss of an experienced member of his playing staff, Benterman was pleased that his friend had the opportunity to move on.

The midfielder’s season has been blighted by injury this year and Benterman said he has found it increasingly difficult to commit to games and training due to family and work, so his departure wouldn’t be as acutely felt as it might have been.

However, he said it would still be a blow to Halstead.

Benterman said: “Gareth is one of my best friends and we’ve known each other a long time.

“He had had been injured earlier in the season and I know he had been struggling to be available for training and games, so when he told me about this opportunity I told him it’s something he had to go for.

“When Gareth has been playing he has been a big compliment to what we are doing here, but he hasn’t been available due to work commitments and his availability has been getting less and less.

“He lives in Haverhill and the chance to be an assistant manager in his own town is great for him and when he spoke to me, it was me who told him that he had to go for it.

“It’s tough because we are close and he’s been brilliant for us, but it’s also tough with him only being able to get to us now and again due to his work and family commitments.

“If it doesn’t work out then he can always come back, but he wants to try his luck at management.”