HEREFORD Head Coach Marc Richards said he made it clear that he didn’t want to lose goalkeeper Martin Horsell despite the shot stopper choosing the leave the club.

Horsell hadn’t played for the Bulls since coming off with a head injury during their 2-0 defeat to Welling in October.

On Friday the goalkeeper decided to leave Hereford to find first team football elsewhere.

“I made it clear that I didn’t want him to go, I know he wasn’t playing,” said Richards

“The unfortunate injury sustained during the Welling game meant I brought in the loan goalkeeper Matt Yates who has been exceptional so he hasn’t had an opportunity to play.

“It was really difficult, the last thing I wanted to do in my first game against Welling was to lose my goalkeeper.

“He was out for three weeks with concussion and I had to act quickly and get somebody in. I’m glad he has done really well.

“I fully respect that he (Horsell) wants to go and play first team football but I made it clear to him that I didn’t want him to go.

“I offered him dual-registration or a loan deal to get a couple of games if that’s what he wanted to do.

“Ultimately he came to a decision that he wanted to go and get first team football and I respect that decision.

“He has been the ultimate professional and I wish him all the best and thank him for all his service over the last few years.

“Any decision is really difficult, and more so for a goalkeeper as you very rarely change your goalkeeper for a tactical decision during a game.

“You have got three options to change outfield players week in and week out but you don’t really have that opportunity to do that.

“Hence why we got him a couple of games at Cirencester.”

Richards says that he will now be looking at goalkeeping options.

Richards added: “Obviously it was the latter part of this week in terms of him making that decision so it’s not enabled us to get any cover in for today’s game, but it is something we will need to look at.

“We need to see what is available and see what we do in terms of making we have sure we have cover in all positions.”