A RESPECTFUL Jamie Laird looked back on his time as a Terras’ player, and admitted he was “a bit gutted” to be leaving the club.

The former Weymouth man spoke with manager Jason Matthews earlier this week and revealed via Twitter he would not be staying at the club next term, a decision the Weymouth boss later admitted to Echosport was tough for him to make.

But Laird understood the verdict made by Matthews not to retain his services, and paid a courteous tribute to his former club.

The ex-Weston-super-Mare skipper told Echosport: “I spoke to Jason and he is looking to bring in people, speaking to players about next season and, unfortunately, I wasn’t in his plans.

“He has his thoughts with what he wants to do with the club in the future and the way forward, which is fair enough.

“I have left on good terms with Jason and I am a bit gutted, I have really enjoyed this season.”

Laird was dropped to the bench over the latter stages of the campaign, but insists he was always up for the Terras’ play-off push.

“Obviously the last couple of months have been hard but on the whole I really did enjoy it,” he added.

“I just tried to keep my head down and do everything right so that if I was called back into the team I would be able to give my all for Weymouth.

“That didn’t quite happen for me but Jason is the manager, he has got to make tough decisions and that was one of them I guess.

“I know there is a lot more to come from Weymouth with the squad they have got there. The players are a great bunch of lads who I really enjoyed playing with and I wish them the best for the future.

“They should be looking to challenge for the title or at least for the play-offs next season.”

With Laird set to get married this summer, he admits he is looking to have a short break and also watch his brother Scott play for Preston North End in the League One play-offs before looking to pursue a new club.