Deal manager Steve King concedes he is disappointed to have lost midfielder Billy Munday to rivals Ramsgate.

Munday’s departure was confirmed on Sunday - a day after he bagged a hat-trick in his last appearance for the Hoops in a 4-3 Isthmian South East home win against Merstham.

A particular threat in the air from set-pieces, Munday has scored seven goals this term, including two hat-tricks, for King’s team.

The Deal fans’ favourite made more than 200 club appearances and initially joined on a one-month loan from Ramsgate six years ago.

Asked if Munday’s three-goal contribution was the perfect farewell, King replied: “He might say that.

"We’re disappointed with what has happened. It’s frustrating from our point of view.

"But we’re not in a position to compete financially with some of those sides in our league.

Departing Deal midfielder makes team-of-the-week

“I’ve worked with Bill for six-and-a-half years and for more than 200 games. I would like to think I’ve helped him develop.

“We didn’t want to lose him but he’s made that decision.

"He’s someone I have got a lot of time for. However, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed about it.

“For his sake, hopefully, he keeps progressing at Ramsgate.

"Even when the game was played on Saturday, we were confident he would still be a Deal player this week.

"But sometimes, it just gets to a point where offers are too good to turn down.”

Munday made his debut off the substitutes’ bench for Ben Smith’s Rams in their 1-0 victory at Phoenix Sports on Tuesday.

King is confident not too many will follow Munday out of the door any time soon, tempted by lucrative offers from some of their promotion-chasing rivals.

“The difference is a lot in the squad have played for other clubs and been let down by broken promises,” explained the boss, who will look to bolster his options soon, having already signed teenage attacker Archie Hatcher after he was released by neighbours Dover. “The boys have been very loyal.

“Bill has been loyal because he had clubs chasing him in the summer. We’re a close-knit squad.

“Obviously, Bill was aware of what was happening on Saturday but he played and gave his all in the game. Some might have faked an injury or something at that point.

“I don’t think many will want to leave. We’re a club that is still progressing.”

Munday scored three of the Hoops’ four goals as they saw off Merstham at home in front of a 544-strong crowd.

He netted two in the first half and early after the break before winger Ben Chapman got on the scoresheet, too, the Moatsiders having been reduced to 10 players in the 40th minute when midfielder Olu Lawal was red-carded with the score 1-1 for violent conduct.

Next in the league for Deal are trips to early frontrunners Beckenham this weekend and Littlehampton on Tuesday.

They beat Hythe 3-0 at home in the second round of the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday, right-sided player Ife Oni bagging a brace after youngster Morgan Page scored in the first half.