PAUL Collicutt delivered a ringing endorsement of departing Evesham United linchpin Mat Liddiard and declared: "He goes with my blessing."

Liddiard leaves the Robins for tenants Gloucester City, climbing two levels to feature in next season's National South.

The players’ and manager’s player of the season netted 21 goals in 44 appearances from central midfield or defence during his one season with United, including the leveller in the play-off semi-final against Swindon Supermarine.

He signed a year ago from Cirencester Town where he had scooped of five end-of-season awards in four years despite also featuring for Gloucester during that time.

The Hartpury College graduate rejected the overtures of Weston-super-Mare and Hereford during his first pre-season at the Jubilee Stadium and Collicutt had to fend off further interest during the campaign.

But the sheer clout of higher-ranked clubs became too much to resist as non-league heavyweights joined the queue.

“He had a few clubs in for him – Salisbury, Hereford, Swindon Supermarine to name just a few,” said Collicutt.

“Mat joined us at the start of last season after I had tracked him for two years but you cannot knock him jumping up two leagues to re-join Gloucester.

"I can understand why he has gone, it is always difficult to stand in the way of a player who gets the chance at a higher level despite it being tricky to replace someone of his calibre.

“He has come on a mile. Mat has grown as a person as much as a player in the past 12 months and I would like to think Evesham United has played a part in that.

“He is a good lad who gives his all. I set him target at the start of the season and he surpassed his best goal-scoring tally.

“We had seven days’ notice of approach from Hereford in pre-season before he had even kicked a ball for us which was a first for me.

“He had one or two other offers along the way but in fairness, he stayed loyal and saw it out with us.

“He is a credit to his parents. They have clearly brought him up in the right manner which reflects in the way he plays and the way he is around the club.

“The club benefited from having Mat Liddiard but he also played with a smile on his face and improved no end here.

“All I can do is wish him all the best and you never know what the future holds because I know he enjoyed his time with us.

“He has a lot of good footballing years in front of him and how far he goes from here depends on how he knuckles down and gets on with it.

“I believe he is a better player than the one that arrived at Evesham and his flexibility will be a benefit to any manager. He goes with my blessing."

Collicutt revealed he would target direct replacements for Liddiard and top scorer Adam Mann, who has agreed terms with play-off conquerors Swindon Supermarine.

“Every club is targeting frontrunners, especially at this time of year. They are hard to find,” he added.

He hopes to announce two new faces imminently and is thrashing out terms with the rest of last season's squad.