Dover manager Mitch Brundle responds as Myles Judd joins Hemel Hempstead Town rather than staying at Crabble – days after Ademola Shokunbi snubbed them for Dulwich Hamlet

Dover boss Mitch Brundle has apologised to fans after their player-of-the-year moved on - weeks after it was announced he would be staying.

The shock news that Myles Judd was joining league rivals Hemel Hempstead Town came halfway through Dover Athletic’s game against Gillingham - just a week after a similar blow for the club when Ademola Shokunbi snubbed them for Dulwich Hamlet.

On June 13, Dover announced Judd would be returning for another season, saying it was “a sign we are heading in the right direction again.”

Brundle had spent the summer convincing their player-of-the-year it was the right move.

Brundle thought he was their man and spoke of his delight at getting him back, but midway through his team’s pre-season friendly against Gillingham on Saturday, their league rivals Hemel announced on Twitter that he had committed to them for the fortcoming season.