Captain Sam Wood has left Dover by mutual consent, it has been announced.

The left-back, 35, survived a cull of Whites' first-team squad which saw 15 players released at the end of the 2020/21 season.

Former Brentford and Wycombe man Wood has been replaced by Dover-born midfielder Ryan Hanson as skipper for the remainder of their National League campaign.

After arriving in August 2020 having left Bromley, Wood made 36 appearances in all competitions for Andy Hessenthaler’s side, scoring twice.

His final appearance for the club came in their 1-0 defeat against Southend at Crabble last weekend.

In a statement, Dover said: "We would like to thank Sam for his efforts while with us and wish him the very best of luck in the future."

He is the second elder statesman in the squad to leave in as many weeks after 33-year-old striker Ben Williamson departed. He has since joined National League South Concord and made his first start during their 5-1 home loss to Maidstone.

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Explaining Williamson's departure after the defeat to Southend, manager Hessenthaler said: "He would still be here but he has got a bit of compassion from me.

"I’m a family guy and he was just finding it very difficult with the travelling.

"He asked me if he could leave because of family reasons and we will always do that. We need to help players."

Hanson, still only 21, took the captain's armband last Tuesday as basement boys Dover beat Eastleigh 1-0 to earn their first win of the season, but the former Hull man had given captaincy's duties back to Wood for the match against the Shrimpers.

But Hanson now appears set to lead the line for his home-town club once again this Saturday as they visit leaders Stockport.

They then have two home matches in the space of three days - hosting Torquay next weekend and Notts County in a re-arranged fixture the following Tuesday.