Witham Town assistant manager Brad King said he fully understands Jamie Guy’s decision to turn down an offer to play for them next season.

Having left Heybridge Swifts, the former Colchester United striker had signed Ryman League forms with Witham last month and agreed a deal to play for them in their inaugural premier division campaign.

However, he has now decided to link up with his former Braintree Town boss Rod Stringer at Bishop’s Stortford as it gives him a chance to play in the Conference South next season.

And there are no hard feelings from King.

Withsm’s assistant boss said: “Jamie has done a bit of a U-turn after signing Ryman League forms and agreeing a deal with us as he has spoken to Bishop’s Stortford and is set to join them instead.

“He has a desire to play Conference football again and we thought he may be able to get a good season with us and push on from there.

“Jamie hadn’t signed for us for financial reasons and has a desire to get back to the highest level he can.

“He has worked hard on his fitness to achieve that, so we wish him well at Stortford.

“I believe he can score 15 goals plus there next season and if it doesn’t work out there for him then he’s very welcome to give me a call.

“There really are no hard feelings.

“He said when he rang me up to tell me of his decision that he thought what we have done at Witham has been incredible and he wouldn’t have signed for any other Ryman League club, but he wants to return to the Conference.

“I’ll never knock a player going to a club for the right reasons like he has done, so we really do wish him well.”