Long-serving Stafford skipper Wayne Daniel has left the club after seven seasons at Marston Road to sign for Blue Square South side Worcester City.

The 32-year-old has put pen to paper on a one-year deal at St George’s Lane, after almost 300 appearances over seven years in a black and white shirt.

Rangers boss Chris Brindley did try to counter Worcester’s offer after long talks this week, even breaking expected protocol by matching the length and type of contract on the table.

But ultimately the manager could not persuade his captain to stay, so the central defender has bid farewell to the place he has called home since the summer of 2002.

Speaking to the Express & Star with the ink barely dry on a fresh start, Daniel hopes the fans respect his decision.

He said: “At the end of the day, I work as a refuse collector day-to-day, so the income I bring in from football helps me and my family to live.

“The deal on the table at Rangers wasn’t quite right for me, although Chris did everything he could keep me to be fair.

“But that’s is not why I left. I need a change and a fresh challenge. At 32 years old, if i don’t do it now, I never will.

“It’s a massive wrench to leave the club, the fans have been great to me and I will miss them a lot.”

Daniel has written an open letter which has been published on the club’s website to formally say goodbye.

He leaves the club a month after his testimonial match marking his long service to the club.

The skipper’s future was up in the air even then, but he feels that to be honoured in such a way allows him to leave with his head held high.

He said: “The support I received really touched me, it’s a nice memory to finish on and now I can move on.

“I wouldn’t have signed for another Blue Square North club, playing against Rangers competitively twice a season would be too gut-wrenching for me. So this is a real fresh start.

“My message to the Stafford fans would be that I will always hold the club dear to my heart – and their result will be the first one I look out for.”