CHIPPENHAM Town manager Mark Collier has no immediate plans to launch a hunt for a new striker after long-serving frontman Alan Griffin quit the club in favour of a family affair at Cirencester Town.

The 33-year-old, had been part of the furniture at Hardenhuish Park, having first featured for the Bluebirds back in 2005, but after rejecting the same move earlier in the season, Griffin has now joined Cirencester Town to play under his brother Charlie, who also enjoyed several successful spells with Chippenham.

The departing Griffin found himself behind fellow frontmen Andy Sandell – the Southern League Premier Division’s top-scorer – and David Pratt in the pecking order this term but Collier says that it was still difficult to watch the stalwart striker leave.

“I understand where Alan was coming from. He found it difficult to get in front of the two guys that we have up front at the moment and he had to accept that he’d be behind them,” said the Chippenham chief.

“He’s getting to the end of his career and he was having breakfast on a Saturday thinking: ‘am I going to be playing 10 or 15 minutes today?’.

“He said that he’s getting to the end of his career and he wants to be playing as much football as he can, and he’s got a good opportunity to stay in the same league and play for his brother.

“He’s always been a pleasure to work with. He’s a great lad and he was always team-first.

“He leaves with a heavy heart and I hope he does well for Cirencester but not when he plays against us.

“We’re happy with what we’ve got at this moment in time.

“Alex Ferguson can play up front and so can James Guthrie, and Mario Mateus can play in behind the front two.

“It’s something for me to think about and if I did talk to another striker, they may think: ‘I’m not going to play in front of those two’, so it is difficult.

“It’s a shame to lose Griffin because he offers something different to the other guys and is good in both boxes.”

The Bluebirds bring 11 days of inactivity to an end on Saturday when they return to league action at home to Chesham United.

The Generals reached the first round proper of the FA Cup earlier this month, losing 2-1 to League One Peterborough United, and boast the likes of former Premier League defender Darren Purse and veteran striker Barry Hayles.

Collier is expecting to have a fully-fit squad to choose from, with full-back Nuno Felix fit again after injury and recent signing Mario Mateus in contention for his first involvement for the club.