Paul Holleran has revealed the disappointing news that Jamie Hood has left the club to join home town side Nuneaton Borough.
The club captain was in his second spell at Leamington since rejoining us from Barwell back in the summer of 2015, made his 302nd and final appearance in the defeat at Southport last Saturday.
‘We had an approach from Nuneaton a few weeks back and we sat down, had a chat and we thought we were all sorted, but I think from Jamie’s point of view he’s been struggling physically with the league we are in; he’s 36 next birthday, he’s not been able to do much training between games and he’s been doing a lot of recovery. As much as I’m disappointed I think he just feels, where he is, his age, his location, the age of his children…. There’s a big difference playing 40 games in the National League North to playing 40 games at Step 3, and he just feels that it is the right decision for him. I was hoping he would stay until the end of the year. He’s played over 300 games for the football club and has been a great servant for us and a fantastic centre half, and naturally we are all really sad to see him go.
‘There comes a time when you sit down with a player, look into their eyes and you know their mind is made up, and at this present moment in time the club and that level of football suits him more than where we are. It’s disappointing but that’s football, and I certainly don’t want it to overshadow how good he has been for us over the years. He’s been a fantastic leader, he’s been loyal, having had offers to move elsewhere before but not taken them, but I think on this occasion he’s looking at his age, the location, the level of football.
‘He is held in high regard on and off the pitch at the football club and we are very sorry to see him go. He and his family will always be welcome back at the club.’ All at the club would like to echo the words of the manager, and thank Jamie for all his efforts during his two spells at Leamington.
