Fans' favourite Russell Dunkley received a deluge of well-wishes after calling time on his season-long spell at King's Lynn Town yesterday.

The Northamptonshire-based striker, affectionately known as The Beast for his powerful displays, decided to leave The Walks due to work and travel commitments. Many supporters took to Twitter to thank the 30-year-old who boss Gary Setchell admitted was as devastated about the decision to walk away as he was.

He said: 'He just can't commit because of the demands of work and travelling. Towards the end of last season, even for training and home games, coming from Northamptonshire was killing him.

'We didn't want to lose him and he didn't really want to go. He gave it everything he had last season. But he had to be brutally honest and up front about a decision which hasn't been easy for him to make. There's no animosity and he's still a massive friend of the club. He's been absolutely brilliant and he's one of the nicest blokes in football. He's one of the most genuine and hard-working people I've ever worked with.

'He leaves on fabulous terms.'

Dunkley signed for Lynn, along with former Long Buckby team-mates Richard Bunting and Dan Quigley, last summer. He went on to score 14 goals in 47 appearances during his side's title-winning campaign.

His departure is likely to see him drop back down two levels to the United Counties Premier Division where he could link up with ex-boss Glen Botterill at Northampton Sileby Rangers.