Dan Dougill, Josh Moreman and Liam Hook have all departed Deeping Rangers
Deeping Rangers have been hit by a triple departure ahead of the new United Counties League season.
Captain Dan Dougill, fellow midfielder Liam Hook and attacker Josh Moreman have both decided to move on from the Premier Division North outfit.
Former Spalding player Moreman has decided that the commitments of step five football are too much at the latter stages of his career while Hook has accepted an offer to join Premier Division South side March Town with Dougill lining up against Deeping next season.
He has agreed to join relegated Grantham Town after skippering the Clarets last season.
Deeping finished the campaign on a high by winning the Hinchingbrooke Cup after a season battling against relegation.
Dougill said: "I've loved my time at Deeping and it was an honour to captain the club this year.
"I gave my all for the badge and I am so glad we managed to end the season with some silverware.
"But, after what's been a difficult season both on and off the pitch, I feel it's my time to move on.
"We've all stuck together through the ups and downs and the fans have been absolutely class in my three years at the club and I'll always be grateful for their support.
"Hopefully they'll continue to be a positive influence around the club and on the players because it's what makes non-league football what it is."
Dougill will be linking up with his former Holbeach United team-mate Mitch Griffiths who is the new manager of Grantham.
He added: "Grantham is a massive club for this level and I am really excited for the opportunity to be a part of the rebuild.
"Having played with Mitch a few years ago, I know he is a winner, so I am looking forward to now playing under him and giving the club something to cheer about."
The departures of the trio ended their second spells working under Clarets boss Brett Whaley.
He said: "Josh who felt he couldn't commit to the level which we completely understand.
"He did great for us last season, scored some important goals and he gave us absolutely everything in his work-rate and effort which people might have questioned in the past.
"Dan and Liam were both big characters in terms of our dressing room and what they brought us in terms of their captaincy at different stages of the season.
"We wish them both well because I've worked with them previously and it was great to be back with them again.
"There always becomes a time when it's the right time for everybody and I think this is the right time for them.
"It gives opportunities for us to maybe change a few things which we felt we wanted to look at.
"It's been great to work with all three again. They have been brilliant for us and I wish them all the success but for us it may allow us to play slightly differently to what we did last season."
Grantham have also signed former Spalding United defender Nathan Stainfield following his departure from the Tulips.
The experienced centre-half made more than 300 appearances for the Tulips during a highly respected tenure.
He has also featured for Boston United and Gainsborough Trinity and spent last season in the Northern Premier League with Wellingborough Town.
Stainfield said: "I'm delighted to join Grantham.
"It's a great club with a lot of history and I'm really looking forward to trying my best to help get them back to where they belong."
A commanding figure on the pitch, Stainfield is known for his leadership, fearless defending and unwavering commitment.
They are qualities that perfectly align with Grantham Town's ambitions under new chairman Nick Johnston and manager Mitch Griffiths.
Griffiths said: "Nathan is exactly the kind of leader we need — experienced, composed, passionate, and with a real never-say-die attitude.
"He leads by example and his presence will be vital both in the dressing room and out on the pitch."
