A big overhaul of the playing staff is taking place at Heybridge Swifts.

The Scraley Road side managed to finish in mid-table in the Ryman League premier division last season, having flirted with relegation for much of the campaign, as financial constraints hit Swifts hard.

And this has led to a number of first-team regulars moving on.

Striker Sean Marks and defender Ian Wiles - both integral parts of Brian Statham's team during the past few seasons - have joined Braintree Town in Blue Square South.

Dave Wareham has rejoined Billericay Town after 31 games and seven goals for Swifts.

Reserve team captain Daryl Tredgett has left in search of regular football, while striker Reggie Savage, following exhaustive negotiations, has decided against joining Swifts.

Statham said: "Reggie was made an offer but said he needed to think about it.

"The offer was then improved a few days later when Reggie informed the club of the substantial offers he had received from both Horsham and Carshalton, which coincidently dwarfed that of the Swifts.

"We move on now the Reggie episode is closed. I took a chance on the boy last year when no one else was interested and he served us very well for five games, scoring some vital goals against the likes of AFC Wimbledon and Horsham, which we'll be eternally grateful for.

"He quickly became a fans and management favourite but I felt the lad got caught up in all the hype and subsequently his performance levels fell below that of what I expect, allay this with his poor punctuality and at times attitude he found himself on the bench for the remainder of the season."

Swifts have been able to tie a number of first-team players down to new deals for the coming season.

Goalkeeper Ollie Sanders along with midfielders George Lay, Adam Gillespie, Robbie King and Nathan Clarke have all agreed terms.

For more, see today's Gazette.