Manager Liam Daish admitted Ebbsfleet United’s financial situation was behind his decision to let defender Ian Simpemba leave the club this week.

The 28-year-old defender joined Blue Square South side Dover for a nominal fee on Monday and the Fleet boss said it was money he couldn’t turn down.

Daish said: "I would love to have carried Ian as a third centre-half but couldn’t go with back-up like that.

"It wasn’t a case of Dover offering a fee, it was me trying to get one which I did. A nominal fee is probably anything under £5,000. I can’t remember the last time I made an offer like that but it’s not to be sneezed at.

"I have got two centre-halves – one on contract and one on loan and hope to keep him, so we are going to need something. I have something in mind, but a few things have to happen before that."

Striker Jamie Darvill is leaving to take up a scholarship in the United States, while keeper Joe Welch has joined Bromley on loan, to be replaced by Tom McNeil.

Daish said: "We need a few favours and a bit of wheeling and dealing. It’s been done for a reason and without going into it too much, you would like to think people will read between the lines as to why.

"I am not complaining, it’s just where we are. It’s not by choice I have got only 16 players, it’s the way things are financially. The ones that are here are having a go and digging in."

Daish’s squad travel to York on Saturday, the first of two meetings in a fortnight at Bootham Crescent after the clubs were paired in the last 16 of the FA Trophy.