CUP-WINNING Wisbech Town boss Steve Appleby has revealed he allowed veteran frontman Andy Furnell to leave the club with open arms.

Furnell, 34, left the Fenmen last week to return to former club Soham Town Rangers to fill their vacant managerial role. The move was expected by many even though Furnell had top-scored for Wisbech this season with 16 goals.

Appleby said: “Ironically I had talked to Andy about being involved with us here in a coaching role next season which he saw as his next step in the game.

“I think he would have taken it but when the Soham job came up I told him to forget about it because these opportunities don’t come round that often. It’s his old club, they’re a league higher than us so I encouraged him to go for it.

“I let him go with open arms as he’s become a mate over the years. I certainly wish him well.”

Furnell only left the Zameratto League Division One Central side last July to return to Wisbech after six years at the Lane. He originally joined Soham, from Wisbech, in 2004 and was part of the squad that won the 2008 Ridgeons League title.

Appleby said: “Andy’s been a good footballer who will take his nous and intelligence of the game into management.

“We will miss that on the pitch but he’s not getting any younger so we were going to have to deal with that eventually.

“He’s promised me he’s not going to raid the club and I trust him. He’s big pals with a few of the lads but he’s not going to try and take them all - he’s got too much respect for this club.

“He won’t want to sour anything and I’d be very surprised if he causes me any problems in the future. I hope we can work together to help each other.”