LONG-SERVING striker Alan Griffin has left Chippenham Town to link up with his brother Charlie at Cirencester Town.

The 33-year-old, who had been part of the furniture at Hardenhuish Park, having first featured for the Bluebirds back in 2005, turned down a move to Cirencester earlier this season but has now agreed to join the Corinium Stadium outfit.

His elder sibling Charlie, 37, who also enjoyed several successful spells with Chippenham, was appointed Cirencester manager in September.

The departing Griffin, who has also featured for the likes of Swindon Supermarine and Malmesbury Victoria, where he was player-manager, found himself behind fellow frontmen Andy Sandell and David Pratt in the pecking order this term.

Despite that, Bluebirds boss Mark Collier says that Griffin departs with ‘heavy heart’.

“Griff has been a fantastic servant to Chippenham Town and at this time in his career, wants to be playing, something that he was unable to do with us due to the exploits of our current strike force,” said Collier.

“I fully respect his views and thought process, and I am fully aware he departs with a heavy heart.

“Big Griff has been a pleasure to work with and was never a minute’s problem. He always put the team first, trained and conducted himself in a very professional manner, and his experience will of course be missed.

“However, I wish him all the very best with his new club.”