Prolific striker Stefan Payne has left Faversham after not starting a competitive match for them this season.

Title-chasing Southern Counties East Premier Division Town confirmed the exit of former Football League player Payne, 33, on Tuesday morning.

Ex-Gillingham, Dover, Tonbridge and Ebbsfleet player Payne was the division’s top scorer last term as he netted 35 league goals on the Lilywhites’ way to a second-placed finish before they were beaten on penalties in their home play-off semi-final against Corinthian.

“He’s not been getting the game-time,” said Town manager Tommy Warrilow on the fans’ favourite. “It’s nothing personal.

“I’m sure he won’t be short on offers to go to another club! That only happened last Monday so we will just see what happens with him. Stefan hasn’t played as much as he would like this season.

“To be fair to him, he had a stinker of a pre-season. He picked up an injury that kept him out for two or three weeks and even had a ban to serve (after being sent-off in a friendly against Rochester United).

“Stef has been patient at the start of this season.

“But football is very simple. If players are doing well, you cannot really leave them out.”

Payne has struggled to force his way into Faversham’s team this term with 10-goal Tashi-Jay Kwayie and eight-goal Johan Caney-Bryan having struck up a fruitful partnership.

Warrilow said: “They’re scoring goals and working hard.

“We have got Fran (Collin), as well. When he’s up there, he always does a great job.

“Dan Thompson hasn’t really had a look-in yet, either. It’s not like we’re really short.

“I have been honest enough to say that to him.”

Payne had made nine substitute appearances for Faversham this campaign, scoring an opening-day goal in a 4-0 home league win over Glebe and in last month’s 5-1 victory at Bearsted.

The club also confirmed the recent dual-registration departure of midfielder Henry Muggeridge, who has rejoined Crowborough Athletic.

Town, who beat Rusthall 4-2 on penalties at home in the Kent Senior Trophy after a 3-3 draw as Thompson, Caney-Bryan and playmaker Nathan Wood netted in normal time last weekend, are at home to British Airways in the first round of the FA Vase on Saturday.

The unbeaten second-placed team return to league matters in the third of four successive games at Salters Lane in all competitions when they host Larkfield & New Hythe on Tuesday.