Rangers bid good luck to Mills
Stafford Rangers players and management have refused to round on departed striker Ben Mills despite his decision to leave the club and join league rivals Alfreton.
The six-goal forward left Marston Road after just four months at the club last Friday, in time to score for his new club in a 1-1 draw at Corby in the FA Trophy as Rangers were tumbling out of the competition in a 2-0 defeat at Blyth Spartans.
His sudden departure leaves a gaping hole in the squad, with Nick Wellecomme forced to play up front on his own despite a back injury on Saturday.
But assistant boss Darren Read and captain Bobby Wilson insist the 20-year-old left the club on good terms, and believe his decision was made with no ill will towards his now former employers.
Read said: "We are all disappointed that he has gone, because we had identified him as a player that we believed had potential to play at this level and higher. We gave him his chance and he started to come good. But this team has come in and made an offer we couldn't match - that is the reality of it.
"Playing is Ben's only source of income at the moment and it's not a swipe from him at the club, he just feels that he will progress a lot quicker with Alfreton than he will at Stafford. He explained it's a short career in football and you have to take the chances when they are there.
"I wish him all the best, I think the manager and everybody at the club will do the same."
Rangers skipper Wilson revealed Mills had spoken with himself and other players, wishing each other all the best for the future.
The captain said: "It's just one of those things, he thinks that moving to Alfreton will get him on the road to where he wants to be. If that is how someone feels, they have to take it.
"There's no one holding him back, there's no grudges against him - he has got to do what he has got to do. He was just finding his feet for us and obviously scored against his new club the other week, so it's a disappointment for us.
"That is what Alfreton are like, if they see a player doing well they have the funds to take a gamble."
Rangers' Blue Square North match at home to Droylsden on Tuesday December 1 has been moved to Saturday December 12, after both teams were eliminated from the FA Trophy.
