Ashford United manager Craig Stone explains his reasons for releasing club captain and record goalscorer and appearance holder Gary Lockyer

Ashford United manager Craig Stone says the shock departure of club captain and record goalscorer Gary Lockyer is a footballing decision.

Stone knew he risked a backlash from Nuts & Bolts supporters after releasing striker Lockyer following talks on Monday evening.

Fans reacted with surprise and disappointment at the exit of the 33-year-old, who’s scored more than 100 goals for the club and is also their record appearance holder.

But with Stone putting his faith in Zac Whitelock to be the first-choice No.9 after bringing the 18-year-old back to Homelands on loan from Gillingham, he didn’t think it was right to keep a player of Lockyer’s standing on the bench.

“It’s one of those decisions I knew was going to have some responses,” said Stone. “It’s to be expected.

“There’s some question marks around why but it’s a footballing decision.

“I love Gaz to bits and always will. He’s a legend of the football club but I had an opportunity to bring Zac Whitelock back and then it’s a case of having someone of Gary’s stature on the bench.

“Gaz wants to play, and rightly so, and I’ve got to make a decision, and I did make a decision to move forward with Zac as the No.9, and then it’s about competition for places.

“Obviously it’s difficult with Gaz’s situation being club captain, and being around the club for a long time.

“It’s a footballing decision that doesn’t please everybody but it’s one you have to make.

“We had a conversation and there was an opportunity for Gaz to stay and to be around the group and fight for his place.

“He wasn’t averse to that, and I wasn’t either, but how long does that go on for?

“Is that two, three, four weeks with Gary Lockyer on the bench? And obviously he wants to play football.

“Zac’s come in to be the