Striker Ruben Jerome is leaving Workington Reds after three seasons with the West Cumbrians.
Travelling from his Huddersfield home appears to have been the deciding factor, and his commitment to the club during his time with Reds has been acknowledge by fans and officials alike.
The 28-year-old younger brother of former Premier League star Cameron has been a popular player during his spell with Workington.
Manager Danny Grainger said: “I would like to personally thank Ruben for his outstanding commitment to the football club. He never missed training or games and we all know geographically that can’t be underestimated and he will be a huge miss for us all.
“He has decided that now is the right time for him personally to play his football closer to home.
“What Ruben has given to the football club on and off the pitch has been amazing and will never be forgotten so I’m delighted we finally achieved what I brought him to the club for, which was to win promotion.
“I wish him all the best in the next part of his career.”
Jerome made 66 starts, plus another 29 from the bench and scored 38 goals in his three seasons with the Reds.
He said: “I’d like to thank Danny for giving me the opportunity to come and play for the Reds.
“Playing with the group of players I have at Workington has been the most enjoyable time I’ve had in a long time. I would also like to thank the fans for the support they’ve shown me from the moment I arrived.
“We’ve enjoyed some good times together and some even better celebrations. I’m happy we achieved the promotion the club deserved and I wish the club all the best in the future.”
Top scorer Dav Symington and Keelan Leslie sign up for another season
Meanwhile, two more members of Workington Reds promotion winning squad have committed themselves to another year.
Dav Symington, last season’s top scorer, and young left back Keelan Leslie join Conor Tinnion, Dan Wordsworth and Lewis Reilly in re-signing with the club.
West Cumbrian Symington, 29, played 68 games for Carlisle United at the start of his career and has proved a big favourite at Borough Park since joining the Reds in 2016.
The player with the hardest shot in the NPL, Symington had this to say after re-signing.
“I’m still buzzing over the promotion we’ve deserved over the last few years but we have to clear our minds of that now and focus on the challenge ahead.
“I’m really happy to sign for another season at the Reds with it being my home town club and I’m looking forward to seeing some new faces in the squad pre-season.”
It’s been an appropriate day for Keelan Leslie to sign as it is his 20th birthday.
The former Carlisle United youth team player is another west Cumbrian who has committed to the Reds for another year.
He said: “It’s great to have signed for another year with the Reds. I’m looking forward to getting back with the lads and hopefully we can make it another successful season.”
