RYMAN Premier side Concord Rangers will be without the club’s longest-serving player, striker Danny Heale, as they start their challenge in the top flight next term.

A shock announcement from the Canvey-based club’s chairman Antony Smith revealed that the Thames Road outfit had “agreed to part company” with the legendary figure who has become synonymous with Concord’s success story over the years.

Smith added: “Unfortunately we could not guarantee Danny a place next season and he wanted to be paid whether selected or not, which is against our policy at Concord.”

Smith agreed that it was a “sad day for all concerned” and certainly Concord fans will be shocked to start the season without the man whose goals have helped carry Rangers through the Essex Senior League and the lower reaches of the Ryman set-up.

Although he has had brief spells away from Concord, Heale has made 413 total appearances for the club with an amazing scoring ratio which has seen him net 231 goals.

During the Essex Senior days he was a regular winner of the league’s Golden Boot award given to the leading marksman, including their Championship-winning side of 2007/08 which gained them their elevation to the Ryman.

Last season, when Rangers finished second to gain a place in the Ryman One North play-offs, Heale — son of legendary non-league striker Billy — hit the net 15 times in 50 games.

Ironically, it was his injury-time effort which saw Concord make certain of their Premier place when they beat Enfield Town 3-1 in the play-off final at home last month.

Heale was unavailable for comment.

On a happier note for the club, chairman Smith has reported that Concord have successfully agreed terms with all the rest of the squad that got them into the Premier Premier.

He described the decision of midfielder Steve King to continue with them as particularly significant, and added: “He has had a number of Conference South and Ryman Premier clubs talk to him, but has decided to stay with us.

“He showed fantastic loyalty towards the end of last season when Dartford made him a great offer, but again he wanted to stay and finish the job.”

King, who joined the Thames Road set-up on loan in the second half of the season, hit nine goals in 19 games.