Folkestone stalwart Micheal Everitt is leaving the club after more than 12 years and 500 appearances.

Everitt – still only 29 – made his first-team debut for Neil Cugley’s side in the 1999-2000 season and became a fixture in midfield.

The Folkestonian, who came through the youth ranks, was a regular in the side and captained the club to promotion to the Ryman League Premier Division in 2009-10 and won the supporters’ player-of-the-year award that season.

But in the past two seasons the older brother of Invicta striker James has found opportunities limited and his 500th appearance was from the bench at Bognor Regis Town on March 3.

Cugley said: "We spoke a couple of weeks ago about the future and then again after the last game. He has been an exceptional servant to the club over the years and has shown great loyalty. We’ll always be grateful for that.

"It might have something to do with playing more regularly, but he’s decided to look elsewhere and from what I understand he’s talking to several possible teams.

"He just feels like he wants to try something new, a fresh start, maybe, and we wish him all the best."