ADIE Harris was devastated to ‘let down’ Chippenham Town by saying his goodbyes at Hardenhuish Park last weekend – but admits his personal life simply had to come first.

The 32-year-old midfielder, who joined the Bluebirds from Bath City in October last year, was forced to ask for a release from his Town contract due to a host of personal issues, but admits he is gutted he won’t have the chance to help club challenge for promotion from the Southern League.

Caring for his father Albert, studying, work commitments and travelling from near Cardiff all contributed to Harris reluctantly calling time on his spell with the Bluebirds.

“I spoke to my wife (Anne-Marie) and with everything that’s going on in my life, I was just going to burn myself out travelling 150 miles three times a week,” said Harris.

“My father has had dementia and he deteriorated a bit over the weekend. I’m also studying to be a psychiatric nurse, so I’m pretty much a full-time student.

“I work looking after adults with behavioural difficulties but I’m going to be made redundant in November, meaning that I’ll be doing agency work for about 18 months until I get my degree.

“I didn’t want to be saying in a few months’ time ‘oh, I can’t make training today’.

“I’m also married and I’ve got a little boy and girl, so I’m just going at 100 miles an hour all the time.’’

He added: “(Leaving) was such a hard thing to do because I don’t like letting people down that have been nice to me.

“The chairman and the vice-chairman have been really good to me and I was more worried about telling them than the players.

“I wanted to be part of a side that got promoted up to the Conference South because I think that’s what the club deserves.

“Chippenham is a sleeping giant in non-league terms. I’ll miss playing there and I hope they go on to have a good season.”

Harris has signed for Welsh Premier League outfit Port Talbot Town in a bid to ply his trade closer to home.

Meanwhile, Bluebirds utility man Toby Osman wasn’t involved in Tuesday’s match at Stourbridge as he nears a move to Bridgwater Town.

The 23-year-old is the subject of a seven-day approach from former Bluebirds assistant manager Richard Fey but Town have responded by launching their own seven-day bid for 21-year-old Clevedon Town defender Sam Teale.

Mitch Tippins has also left Chippenham but former Swindon Town full-back Luke Murden, who signed for the Bluebirds in pre-season, is nearing a return to training after the ankle injury he picked up in July’s friendly victory over Bristol Manor Farm.

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