SWINDON Supermarine boss Dave Webb has revealed that long-serving captain Chris Taylor has left the club.

Taylor, who has made 313 appearances for the Webbs Wood Stadium side, scoring 23 goals, helped Marine into successive promotion play-offs in the last two seasons but Webb says the midfielder had decided to move on.

“He (Taylor) has been here for a long time and has been a great player for the club. We just felt it was a good time to go in different directions,’’ said Webb.

“He’s a great player who still has a lot to offer. I’m not sure what he is doing but I’m sure wherever he goes, he will be a great player for them.

“We have lost a lot of experience with that and Ross Adams leaving (for Highworth Town) but we are hoping we can bring in good young replacements. It is a bit of a change.”

Webb has added 22-year-old midfielder Brad Hooper to his squad, signing him from Cirencester Town.

Hooper made 35 appearances last season, scoring six goals, and Webb added: “He is someone who will come into the team and do a good job. I tracked him for a while and tried to get him in last year but that didn’t work out.”

The trio of Zak Westlake, Callum Parsons and Ryan Wood have also joined while Webb is waiting for a number of players to get back to him regarding their future.

He added: “We have some returning from holiday and still have to hear back from a few. Then we can have a sit down with one or two and tell them they won’t be in our plans for the long term.’’

“We have a young team. It is exciting that we are in good shape and it is looking positive. We are looking forward to the first pre-season game against Swindon Town (on Saturday).”