Skipper Creighton sold by Harriers

The influential defender has left Aggborough just 48 hours after the club announced their 'retained' list, which will see eight first-team players - and thas not including the skipper - shown the door despite a successful 2008/09.

Highly-rated goalkeeper Adam Bartlett, 20-goal striker Justin Richards, Keith Lowe, Michael Carr, Martin Brittain, Chris McPhee, Luke Jones and Craig Armstrong will all now leave the club.

Now their captain has joined them, just a week after the player himself called for a show of ambition in keeping the squad together after just missing out on the play-off's.

Harriers boss Mark Yates is so far tight-lipped on the circumstances regarding the exit of the 27-year-old.

He instead expressed his gratitude for the efforts of a player who has been the cornerstone of his regime, in three years and 158 appearances under his stewardship.

The manager said: "I'd like to thank Mark for three brilliant years' service to this football club - for two of which he has been my captain.

"I wish him every success in his future career."

Looking at the whole picture, Yates admits is that the recession is finally taking optimum effect at Aggbrorough - so there are inevitable casualties.

He said: "The club have had to take one or two decisions with its longer-term future in mind. There are a number of clubs going out of business.

"We are in a position where things aren't as rosey as we'd all like them to be.

"We were not able to offer deals to a few of the boys that I would have perhaps liked to. I could have done, but it would've been on far reduced terms and I didn't think that was appropriate.

"The boys that are leaving aren't so much being 'released' - they're being sent on their way with our absolute best wishes."

The Harriers boss himself only signed a new deal himself next week, now he has seen his job become significantly harder with many of his consistent performers on their way.

But Yates was aware of what was coming when he committed his future.

He said: "I had to think long and hard about my role at the club with a view to having to let so many of these players go, that's why there's been a bit of a delay if you like.

"Could I let them go and start again? The bottom line is that it has to be done."