STALWART Iain Harvey says that he has almost too many fond memories to number as he closes the book on his Chippenham Town days.

The 38-year-old, who has become part of the furniture at Hardenhuish Park after spending more than a decade with the Bluebirds, is saying his goodbyes to the club after finding his playing time limited this season, with the strain of travelling from Bristol also burdening the father-of-two, who works as an air conditioning engineer.

Combative midfielder Harvey was honoured for his lengthy service to Chippenham with a testimonial dinner last summer, with former Swindon Town and Liverpool man Neil Ruddock appearing as guest speaker, and will take his time to enjoy the Christmas period before exploring the possibility of joining a club closer to home.

Departing with a heavy heart, Harvey, who first joined the Bluebirds from Tiverton Town in March 2005, hopes that he isn’t bidding farewell with his team, who are second in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division, on the verge of something special.

“I’d love them to get promoted and it’s a shame to leave now but as people have said to me, there aren’t many people that play for the same club at this level for 10 or 11 years,” said Harvey.

“It’s been a major part of my life. I’ve met so many people that have become friends and I’m going to remember all of them.

“There have been so many highs, like the FA Cup games against Worcester and Basingstoke and the play-off games, and they definitely outweigh the lows.

“I think the club are in great hands with Mark (Collier) and Tom (Jones) and I have nothing but respect for them. Last year, I was playing every week but it’s not been like that this season and with all the travelling and a young family, I can’t really justify it.

“I don’t think people realise how much commitment there is in non-league football because it’s all for the love of the game. I probably haven’t celebrated New Year’s Eve since the Millennium.

“I’ll take some time off and then look at what to do next and I probably won’t play at the same level but I still feel that physically, I could do.”

Bluebirds boss Mark Collier admits that Harvey’s departure is a bitter pill to swallow.

“Iain has found himself down the pecking order behind the likes of Chris Allen and Michael Pook but it’s particularly difficult to see him go,” said Collier. “He’s been first-class with me since I came to the club, and he’s been a brilliant servant to Chippenham Town.”

Chairman Neil Blackmore added: “Every ground we go to, everybody seems to know him. I’ve said to him that I would have him back in any capacity in a heartbeat but I appreciate that he wants to play football.

“I’ve always said that he comes from Bristol but he’s a Chippenham lad at heart. He’s so quick-witted and no-one has a bad word to say about him.”