Faversham Town manager Ray Turner has praised departing keeper Will Godmon who has left the club by mutual consent as he seeks to play at a higher level.

The former Chelsea youth player signed for Faversham on a dual registration basis early in the 2015-16 season having come through Maidstone United’s academy.

Godmon has been a mainstay in Town’s Ryman League, Division 1 South promotion challenges and scored a stoppage-time winner from his own half which helped Town secure a play-off place in his first season.

Godmon briefly left Salters Lane last October to join Premier Division Leatherhead, although he returned the following month.

Turner told the club website his departure mid-season had caused disruption and claimed he wanted to avoid a repeat this season, instead bringing in Simon Overland from Sittingbourne and bidding farewell to Godmon.

He said: “I would like to pay tribute to Will. From the moment he set foot in this football club he has been tremendous. I’ve loved working with him – the lad is a great talent.

“The reason for the change is that he made it quite clear he wanted to play a higher level of football and I’m more than happy to support that.

“Any managers out there in higher leagues should be looking and giving him a chance.”

He added: “I want the players here buying into a full season from the moment we start in pre-season to the moment we finish on that last Saturday in April.”