MASSIVE BLOW: Tamworth assistant manager Darron Gee paid tribute to departing skipper Chris Smith after his move to Mansfield Town on Tuesday, writes Matt Panter.

Smith became the second club captain in two years to leave the Lamb in pre-season, following Martin Foster out of the door.

Gee said: "It's a massive blow to us, I'm not going to deny that.

"Chris has been an outstanding skipper and a great player in the two years he has been here.

"He has been a big rock for us at the back and a key factor in the reason our defence has performed as well as it has.

"I totally understand his reasons for leaving. We cannot compete with clubs like Mansfield.

"They are a big club, an ex-league club, who will be looking to win the league next year.

"Chris is ambitious and all we can do is thank him for his efforts and wish him well for next season.

"He leaves with nothing but praise from us and we have been blessed to have such a good captain and player.

"What we have to do now is move on and try to replace both an excellent skipper and top class central defender.

"That won't be easy but we move on."

Gee revealed the Lambs are still waiting to hear a positive answer from any of last season's squad.

"The lads are mulling over the offers we have given them now and we'll just have to wait and see," he added.

"People are on holiday now for a couple of weeks and some will be talking to other clubs.

"We want them to stay, of course we do, because we have had a great team spirit for the last two seasons.

"We have built a good squad and it would be a shame to lose players.

"But you have to respect the wishes of the players – if they have a better offer on the table, it's understandable that some may leave.

"We will see how things pan out in the next couple of weeks. Some others may leave and we will have to brace ourselves for that.

"We will know more in a couple of weeks and then we will see what our strategy has to be in terms of developing next season's squad."

FRIENDLY DATE: Tamworth will play League Two side Chesterfield FC at The Lamb on Tuesday, July 27 (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Spirerites will be sending their full first team to Tamworth.

The Lambs will also play host to Welsh champions Llanelli AFC on August 7.

Away fixtures are now being compiled and a number of dates have been pencilled in but as yet no fixture has been confirmed.