James Morrish has left Hythe Town after being told he wouldn’t be guaranteed a starting place this season.

The midfielder has rejoined AFC Hornchurch following talks with Cannons boss Clive Cook about his plans for 2016-17.

Morrish, who joined Hythe from Whitstable in 2013, scored 15 goals in 123 appearances for the club whom he captained under both Cook and his predecessor Tim Dixon.

Cook said: "Mo’s been a fantastic servant to the football club and a good skipper but he wants to play football all the time.

"He doesn’t want to be a bench player, he wants to be a permanent fixture. In some sides, that can happen and in other squads, it can’t. I’m not sure I could have given him as much football as he wanted.

"He’s a smashing lad and I would never say anything bad about him. His dedication and loyalty to the football club was massive.

"We parted on good terms. It’s something which is not nice for a manager to do and vice-versa for the player if you all get on but it’s one of those things you have to do sometimes.

"He was honest with himself and I was honest. There’s no point me saying something which I can’t deliver."

Hythe host Folkestone on Saturday (3pm) for John Walker’s testimonial match.

Walker has played 354 times for Town over the last decade and a raffle, in aid of the player, will take place during the game and be drawn in the clubhouse at full-time.

Cook said: "Dedication and loyalty is what it’s all about. He’s been here 10 years and that’s a long time.

"He’s a good footballer, a smashing lad and he deserves everything he gets out of Saturday."