Hythe boss Scott Porter has confirmed skipper Dave Cook and Pat Kingwell have left Reachfields and joined Ashford United.

Cook (pictured right), played in the 3-2 defeat at Hastings on Monday in what proved his last appearance for the Ryman League, Division 1 South club, while Kingwell’s move to Homelands came days after he called time on his career due to increased work commitments.

The pair’s departure end their seven-year spells with a club, having arrived within a month of each other in 2007.

Cook has been Hythe’s leading scorer in four of the last five seasons and has hit 11 in 27 games this season, while popular defender Kingwell returns to Homelands, his former club.

Porter said: “We couldn’t compete with Ashford, in terms of signing-on fees and wages being offered as incentives to try and get out of the (Southern Counties East) League."

However, Hythe have re-signed defender Craig Cloke and Porter said: “One door closes and one door opens. That’s football, people come and go, and I am sure there will be more twists and turns.

“Craig is a big plus because we’ve missed him. He had a break from football but he’s ready now."

Porter’s side go to lowly Three Bridges on Saturday. hoping to end their three-match losing run, and win on the road for the first time this year.