Horsham boss Simon Colbran defends departure of Adam Hutchings

The 21 year old quit at the end of last week after Colbran informed him he was no longer in his plans for the rest of the season.

The manager has drafted in a number of new signings which meant Hutchings - who has made 97 first-team appearances - was omitted from the squads for the Easter draws with Crawley Down and Worthing.

Colbran said: “Hutch is a 100 per cent committed player in training and in matches. I know he’s a local lad who’s come through the youth system but there’s no place for sentiment in the position we’re in.

“I can’t pick players just because they’re from the area, I have to pick the team who I think will do the job on the pitch.

“I know people will be disappointed he’s going and I wish him well.

“It’s not only Hutch, some others haven’t made the squad but they had 12 games and didn’t get the results so I didn’t have much option but to change things.”

Players like Aaron Scott and Abs Bolaji have also found themselves surplus to requirements following the signings of midfielder Karl Akehurst, Ray Freeman, Trevor McCreadie and Chamal Fenelon.

Hutchings, who has been in and out of the side this term, rejected the chance to join a County League Division 2 side and will look for another club next season.

He said: “I didn’t think joining a County League side was right for me at all and not being wanted even in the squad for the rest of the season I thought it was best to leave.

“It didn’t leave me with a choice really, I do feel I’ve been edged out.

“It’s something I’m really upset about, I’ve been there for years, since I was in the Under-15s as a 14 year old. I’m disappointed because although I’ve not played all that much I feel I took my chance when it came and played well.”

Five points from the last three games has lifted Horsham out of the bottom two and this Saturday they host Merstham still very much in a relegation fight.

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