Oxford City Stars skipper Darren Elliott says the decision to pull the team out of English National League South Division 1 has left him devastated.

The move followed a mass exodus of players following the decision to replace coach Ken Forshee with Simon Anderson, himself a former Stars player.

Eight senior squad members decided to quit.

The club will not be able to re-enter the league until the 2013-14 season.

The directors took the decision to axe Forshee after a 12-match winless run – his last game in charge ending in a 10-3 defeat at the hands of Chelmsford Chieftains.

Elliott, 31, who played for Stars for more than 20 years, the last seven of which were as captain, said the dismissal of Forshee and the decision to withdraw from the league had come as a total shock.

“I was gutted when we pulled out because I’ve played there for 21 years,” said Elliott.

“This is the first time – although I know the team had a break for a few years – that they have not completed a league season.

“The directors had their reasons, but I think when the coach got released and the other players decided to follow, there were not enough players to carry on and they had no alternative but to fold the team.

“When you have had results like we have, then you get an inkling that something is going to happen. But I was not aware they were going to fold.”

Elliott, who is now in talks with an un-named side about a move, said he was not leaving Stars altogether.

“I have already told them I will still be heavily involved with the junior sides,” he said.

“If a senior side comes back I would have no hesitation returning – it’s my hometown club.

“I am gutted – I have played for all the junior teams here.

“I think it was the right decision at the time to axe Ken. But when you look at it now, it was the wrong one.

“We had played 17 games and had won only two. Results speak for themselves.

“If you were Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United had gone through a similar run then they would be looking to make a change.”

Andy Cox and Dax Hedges have joined Streatham Redskins, while Dale White has returned to old club Solihull Barons.