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Joint manager Gary Norton explained: "We received a 7 day approach from Stafford for Dean a week or so back and once the 7 days notice expired Stafford spoke to him and made him an offer he simply couldn't refuse.

"We made Dean aware of the approach last week before Stafford had spoken to him and from his reaction we were confident he would stay with us because he loves it here.

"We are gutted to lose Deano as he's been brilliant for us over the last year but with the sort of money on offer in comparison to what we can pay here he just couldn't turn it down and so he goes with our best wishes.

"If the move doesn't work out for him he will always be welcome to re-join us as far as I'm concerned. He's been an absolute pleasure to work with and will do well in the premier division in my view.

"Dean has asked me to pass on his appreciation to all his team mates and our supporters that he hasn't had chance to speak to because of the timing and speed of the move."

Norton added: "We have had a few notices of approach for our players recently which means we must have some good players. Apart from a couple of our lads that are contracted to us all of our squad are on non-contract terms so like many clubs at our level some of our better players can be tempted away by clubs who with large budgets.

"That's what's happened in Deano's case so we have to deal with it and move on. We were already looking at adding to the squad in the forward department with Royce Turville being out injured at the moment but will now have to step up the search with immediate effect."