SAM Taylor admits he got emotional as his eight-year spell at Hullbridge Sports came to an end.

Taylor skippered the Isthmian North side as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to National League side Dagenham & Redbridge in the third round of the Essex Senior Cup.

And the midfielder - who was taking on a side managed by his uncle Peter Taylor - confirmed it was a night he will never forget.

“It was a great way to end my time at Hullbridge,” said Taylor.

“Other than the result, it couldn’t have gone better from a personal point of view.

“I was fine up until the last few minutes, when I got a bit emotional.

“It was a tough game, so I couldn’t take my mind off that.

“But, when someone asked the referee near the end of the game how long was left, that’s when it hit home.

“I have been at Hullbridge for such a long time and it was a nice touch for the players to cheer me off at the end of the game.”

Taylor wore the captain’s armband as he brought the curtain down on his stay at the Ryan’s Heating Stadium.

And a Dagenham win - courtesy of Reece Grant’s early strike - could not dampen Taylor’s spirits.

The 29-year-old, who is hoping to join a new club by the weekend, added: “They asked me if I wanted to be captain for the game last week and I wasn’t sure.

“I took a few days to decide because I didn’t know if I wanted it to just be like any other game.

“But I then thought about it being my last game after eight years at the club and knew being captain would be a proud moment.

“The way the situation was handled was great and I also got presented with a nice gift before the game.

“Leading the team out for the final time against a full-time side was fantastic and it was the perfect way to end my time at Hullbridge.”

And Taylor, who was part of the Sports squad which won the Essex Senior League title last term, has high hopes for Darren Manning’s side.

“I think finishing in the top 10 is realistic for this team,” admitted the midfielder.

“We struggled at the start of the season, but I think it was important to keep the boys who won the title last year together.

“There are no cliques in the group and it is up there as arguably the best set of players I have been around.

“Everyone fights for each other and, now they have a grasp on the league, I think they can push for the top 10 this season.”