Histon manager Chris Nunn explains departure of long-serving goalkeeper Sam Roach

Histon boss Chris Nunn has revealed that the decision to release Sam Roach was driven by a need to strengthen in other areas of the pitch.

The goalkeeper, who made almost 260 appearances between the posts for the Stutes, announced his shock departure from the club via social media on Sunday.

Less than 24 hours earlier, Roach had kept a clean sheet in Histon’s 2-0 victory over Newport Pagnell Town in the GCE Hire Fleet United Counties Football League Premier Division South.

But while the club is not facing any financial hardship, Nunn opted to part ways with Roach to free up funds for potential new additions.

The boss said: “Sam was one of our top earners and like all football clubs, we want to strengthen but you need to also balance the books.

“Sam is a great lad, a really good goalkeeper and I have nothing negative to say about him whatsoever.

“It’s just as a business you have to do the right thing for the club. It might come across as ruthless and harsh and it might not read too well, but I’ve got to do what’s best for the club.

“The club isn’t in any trouble or anything along those lines, but we need to generate some funds if we do end up strengthening other areas of the pitch. All I can do is be honest about the situation and as I say, Sam has been fantastic for the club for a long period of time.”

Nunn, who is due to see his side play host to Yaxley tonight went on to confirm that he was in talks with a couple of possible signings – including George Whitehall, who arrived as Roach’s replacement last night.

He added: “We’re speaking to a couple of players at the moment, but we also have some injuries so we need to work out where we are with them as well.

“The likes of Matty Allan and Pharrell Anderson are two or three weeks away from being fit and they’re very good players at this level, so we need to be mindful we’ve got that quality coming back.

“But George has come in – he’s a very good goalkeeper and a great lad – and maybe one or two more (will come in) as well. We’ve got talks going on for the areas I feel we could do with some strengthening.”

Histon head to Stowmarket Town in the FA Vase on Saturday (21 September).