SHANE Andrews said an emotional farewell to the Chippenham Town faithful on Monday 28 April night after announcing he will leave the club after Saturday's trip to Halesowen.

The long-serving defender, 28, has been dogged by back problems this season and has decided to drop out of Dr Martens Premier Division football after learning his wife Sarah is to give birth to their first child in November.

Andrews has been courted by Mangotsfield, Brislington, Paulton and former club Clevedon and will decide on his next move in the summer.

He said: "Happily I found out my wife was pregnant and that said something had to give. I didn't want to be travelling around the country playing football and leaving her on her own.

"I explained the situation to Tom and he was great about it. He said he could understand and I decided to pack it up at the end of the season."

Andrews signed for Chippenham in 1998 and has helped the club to their first Wembley appearance and back-to-back promotions.

He said: "Every game over the past five years for Chippenham there has been pressure to win games, but it has been a dream come true. The story is something to tell the kids.

"Wembley was the highlight, but Monday night was quite emotional as well, to get that reception.

"Tom was going to put me on, but the referee blew up early.

"But to have 200-odd people singing my name at the end brought a lump to my throat, especially as I am a home-town player."