Centre forward Meshach Nugent has decided to leave VCD following the recent news of a slashed budget to ensure ground improvements enforced by the Ryman League can be funded.

The strong, pacy frontman played his last game in the recent defeat to Heybridge Swifts which brought his total appearances to 16 with 3 goals in Vickers colours.

Joining the club from Ryman Premier side Maidstone United, Nugent suffered an early injury to his calf before getting back to full fitness and putting in some impressive performances

Manager Paul Foley confirmed his departure earlier today 'Shack has decided to move on with a couple of other clubs interested in signing him.'

'He loved it here, didn't want to leave and has said he would return if the budget is increased to at least cover his petrol expenses!'

'The original deal with Maidstone United was on a gentleman's agreement with Walks (Alan Walker) for a month minimum and when Maidstone needed him back we would cancel his registration.'

'As it turned out he stayed for longer than a month and now Walks and Lloyd have resigned I'm not sure where that leaves Shack with the Stones to be honest.'

'Paul Bowden-Brown (the Stones chairman) called today to ask if he had left which I confirmed and I gave him a contact number for Shack, so read into that what you will.'

'He joined us when we really needed a strong forward and he got us over that hump with some good performances getting fitter and fitter in the process.'

'Last week in training he looked the sharpest he has been since joining so whoever gets him now should be thanking us for getting him back to full fitness!'

'A couple of higher leagued clubs have enquired after him which is no surprise as there aren't many like him around'

A new look forward line of Danny Penny and Aaron Firth did extremely well in Saturday's superb away day ten man victory over Great Wakering Rovers causing no end of problems for the Wakering defence before Uche Ibemere played the solo striker's role to perfection following Anthony Hogg's soft dismissal.

With Leroy Huggins available for the visit of Romford on Saturday the forward options are still strong despite the large budgetary cuts enforced.

Left winger Nick Hegley edged one goal in front of Huggins in the leading scorers table with his eleventh goal of the season at Great Wakering, a smart finish from a tight angle.

VCD will be looking to get at least one point from their game on Saturday at Oakwood which will see the Hoops break the 40 point barrier with 14 more games to play after Romford's visit.

Sitting in tenth place, not far off the play off places and with a severely restricted budget enforced on the team it could be argued that this season is already a huge success for the club in its debut Isthmian league outing.

By comparison recent promotions from the Kent League have resulted in the following first-season positions(most recent first) are,

2008/09 Thamesmead Town Ryman North 18th 40 pts

2007/08 Whitstable Town Ryman South 14th 50 pts

2006/07 Maidstone United Ryman South Champions 80 pts

2005/06 Ramsgate Ryman Div 1 Champions 86 pts

2004/05 Cray Wanderers Ryman Div 1 6th 73 pts

2003/04 no promoted club (Cray Wanderers not permitted to be promoted)

2002/03 no promoted club from KL (Maidstone United not permitted to be promoted)

2001/02 Chatham Dr Martens Eastern 16th 47 pts.