Hurting Bucks move to fill void
AFC Telford United will move quickly to sign a new striker after Gary Hay quit the club by text message. The 30-year-old is set to join Bromsgrove Rovers, after going back on his word to managers Rob Smith and Larry Chambers that he would ignore the Southern League side's advances to stay with Telford.
He broke the news on Saturday, texting Chambers less than three hours before kick-off against North Ferriby, a match Telford went on to win 2-1.
The about-turn, and the manner in which he did it, has disappointed the managerial team.
But they had already put in seven days' notice for Rugby Town striker Jason Taylor, who has Football League experience with Rushden & Diamonds, and will now speak to him on Wednesday.
"I normally leave my house at about 12 o'clock on a Saturday and at at 12.18pm I had a text come through from Gary Hay," Chambers revealed.
"It just said: 'I'm not coming in today, I'm going to Bromsgrove, I've made my mind up and that's final'.
"He went on to say: 'Telford's not for me, the travelling's not for me. I'm switching my phone off now because I know you two will have a go at me.'
"Rob and I have had him for seven years now and we've looked after him through good times and bad times. He's always been well rewarded wherever we've been, one of the better paid players. He never mentioned the travelling prior to that text.
"I've taken it personally, we both have. We're hurt and we turned up on Saturday not really in the right frame of mood. He's not just another player and it's a shock. I'm very, very disappointed."
The approach for Taylor was made before the bombshell news of Hay's departure, but boss Smith believes he could fill the void.
The 20-year-old has scored eight goals in 12 league and cup outings for Rugby this term, though geography could pose a problem.
By Chris Hudson
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