CHARLIE Clough has left Dorchester Town for Skrill South rivals Sutton United.

The 23-year-old completed his move to the London outfit yesterday after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee for the defender.

Clough’s departure comes a fortnight after the former Terras’ defender handed in a transfer request which was reluctantly accepted by the Dorchester board.

A Magpies’ spokesman yesterday confirmed that a deal with The Us had been struck before Clough agreed personal terms and put pen to paper on his new contract.

“It’s upsetting to leave but with the way the results have gone and the ambition of the trust, that sealed it for me,” he said. “I’m leaving for football reasons and nothing else.”

Sutton boss Paul Dowsell revealed that Clough is someone he has been interested in for some time.
“He’s a threat in both boxes, scoring 12 goals for Dorchester last season from centre back, and we’re delighted to have signed him,” he said.

“We’d also like to thank Dorchester for their help in getting the deal finalised.”

Dorchester chief Phil Simkin added: “I’m very sorry to see him go but I understand the situation as far as he is concerned.

“I wish him all the best for the future and hope he does well in his career.”

Clough would have been suspended for tomorrow’s game anyway, and with Alan Walker-Harris also banned and Jamie Gleeson (shoulder) and Jake Smeeton (toe) both injured, Simkin can ill afford to lose anymore players ahead of kick-off.

Opponents Bishop’s Stortford, transferred from Conference North at the end of last season, have made a promising start in the league and currently lie sixth in the Skrill South table.

Dorchester suffered an agonising defeat at Concord Rangers last time out with the hosts scoring late on after Ben Watson had missed a penalty minutes before.

“We should have at least got a point last Saturday but we can go into tomorrow’s match confident,” said Simkin. “Hopefully Nick Crittenden will be fit, which would be a big boost for us.

“And if we get another penalty and Watto fancies it I would have no qualms about him taking it. He was upset about the one at Concord but these things happen.

“We haven’t had a lot of luck recently and losing Glees is a huge blow. He is almost the first name on the teamsheet every week, but football is full of surprises and I just hope we have a good one rather than a bad one on Saturday.”

Magpies (from): Sandercombe, Bell, Brooks, Green, Way, Walker, Jermyn, Pugh, Martin, Morgan, Beasley, Crittenden, Goodship, Bassele, Watson, Ward