Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler has confirmed that captain Mitch Brundle will leave the club this summer.

The Whites skipper was instrumental in his side securing National League safety last season, contributing eight goals and leading the team with 13 assists across all competitions.

Unable to match offers from elsewhere, Dover are now resigned to losing their 2018/19 Supporters' Player of the Season having been prepared to make him the club's highest earner.

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Hessenthaler said: "Mitch Brundle won't be coming back unfortunately for us. We've done everything we can to try and keep Mitch at the football club. I can't thank the chairman enough for trying to keep him in terms of the financial side of it, he would have been our highest paid player but he is speaking to other clubs at this time.

"Those clubs have offered him more money than we can unfortunately. He goes with our best wishes.

"I'm gutted because I loved him, I think he's been brilliant. He's been a great servant to Dover, but he's also got to think about Mitch Brundle and his family. Money does come into it, wherever he goes, we just can't compete with their offers. It's as simple as that really.

"We've done everything we can and the chairman has done everything he can along with myself to try and keep him at the football club. Again, Mitch has got to look after himself and his family.

"It's like anything in life, if you're in a job and able to get paid more money than you've been offered then most people would go and do that. We can't blame him for that.

"I can't thank him enough for what he did for me when I was manager last year, he was massive for us. He's going to be a miss but like I say we feel as if we did as much as we could to keep him.

"Unfortunately, financially we can't get to where some of the other teams are getting to. I've had good conversations with him over the last couple of days and we'll always keep in contact because he's a good guy, wherever he goes somebody is going to get a very good player."

The 24-year-old signed for Dover back in May 2017 after being released by Gateshead having previously enjoyed spells with Braintree, Bristol City and Yeovil Town.

He has since registered 99 appearances and scored 13 goals across all competitions for the club, becoming a firm fan favourite at Crabble in the process.

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