HEYBRIDGE Swifts chairman Gary White says he is sorry to see three of the club's talented players move on for pastures new.

But the Scraley Road supremo insists the opportunity for them to play at a higher level was 'too good an offer to miss'.

Midfielder Odei Martin and defender Jayden Randell have both decided to leave Swifts, hoping to join clubs higher up the football pyramid.

They follow striker Alex Teniola, who has joined National League South side Chelmsford City, in leaving the Isthmian League division north side.

In a statement on the club's website, White said: "While we are sorry to see them go, the opportunity to play at two levels higher is too good an offer to miss, and this will always be the case while we remain at Step 4 and providing the quality of football experience and culture that we do at this club.

"You can rest assured we have top quality young replacements for those players waiting in the wings.

"But we cannot publicise those at this stage given we cannot even register players for next season, and given that nobody knows at this stage when the season will start anyway."

Stuart Nethercott is busy planning for the future at Swifts, having succeeded Karl Duguid in the Scraley Road hot seat earlier this month.

White says the former Spurs defender will have the bulk of the club's squad from last season at his disposal.

But he has warned signing players on contract would be 'financial suicide', due to the implications of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We still have a good squad of players and many have said they will be staying with us, which is good to hear," added White.

"It is difficult for fans at this time when they see departures, with no news on replacements as yet.

"Those leaving will be going on contracts so they have a degree of certainty, but we cannot sign players on contract at this level as these are financial commitments that a club of our size are unable to commit to.

"It would amount to financial suicide if we start doing that.

"We have had two or three players on contracts in recent years but that won’t happen again in the near future as we want players at this club who want to learn and progress in the game, and not just those who want to come here because we are paying £25-per-week more than our rivals."