With personnel changes at Meadow Park not exactly a rarity in recent times, Wood nevertheless sprang a major surprise last weekend with the news that team captain Garry Wotton had been transferred to Ryman Premier rivals Chesham United.

The 27-year-old central defender joined the club exactly a year ago from Aylesbury, where he had also been skipper.

As a serving member of the RAF, Wotton was prevented from signing a contract with the club, which, together with his consistant performances at the heart of the Wood backline, made his position at the club constantly vulnerable.

Wotton was an ever present fixture in the side, not missing a single match following his debut last November against Leatherhead which makes his sudden departure even more curious.

Manager Tommy Sampson would only go on record as saying that: "It was a football decision to release Garry, he's a good player, and some of the experienced players at the club raised their eyebrows when he left, but he received a good offer from Chesham,which he decided to take."

Both Sampson and Chairman Danny Hunter denied allegations that Wotton's exodus is part of a cost cutting exercise, but the man himself has a quite different view.

Wotton told me: "I got a phonecall last Thursday night, and I was told that I wouldn't be picked for the club again. Apparently the wage bill needed reducing, and as one of the higher earners I had no choice in the matter.

"I was told of the Chesham interest and advised to follow it up.

"I didn't want to leave Wood I love the club, and could have left pre-season, but the Chairman persuaded me to stay then.

"I thought I'd be there for life. I'm gobsmacked and disappointed that I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to the supporters."

Asked if he thought there was a policy to trim the playing budget, Wotton replied: "Look at the other players on the list: Polston, Brady, Lawford they're all among the highest earners there."

Leading goalscorer Lawford, one goal away from 50 for the club in only 90 outings, has been put on the transfer list at his own request, and has also been the subject of recent interest from former club Chesham.

Sampson said: "John's a good pro, and I'll pick him as long as he's with us, but unfortunately he's stated that he wants to leave the club. I've got no problem with him."

These are worrying developments at Meadow Park. Wood can ill afford to lose the proven quality of the likes of Lawford and Wotton, who only six months ago raised the Ryman Division One Championship trophy.

But with gates rarely extending beyond the 200 or so diehards, stark financial reality dictates that, as Sampson himself admitted: "To bring people in I must move people out."

November 7, 2001 13:36