Robbo: we had no choice but to leave

Robinson, who swept the board in player of the year votes this season, claimed the players were offered the same money as the 2007/08 campaign.

And he said because the part-time squad would have been forced to take days off work to travel the longer distances involved in a national league, they would have ended up out of pocket.

He said, "The new management were offering people the same money to go into a league where we have to take days off (to travel).

"Most of the players weren't willing to do that. That really wasn't an option for me. If you get promoted you expect some reward, however small.

"The way the whole situation was handled, it gave us no alternative but to leave. To be smacked in the face like that...behind the Conference the Conference South is the hardest league to win."

The big defender confirmed that he had not yet joined another club after leaving the Rooks. He said he would not be rushed into making his next move.

"I haven't made a decision and haven't rushed into anything.

"Some of the players have but that's because they've been offered unbelievable deals. Sometimes those deals are not there the following week.

"(But) I want to make sure the deal is right for me, in every way shape and form, not just financial.

"I have been honest with all the managers that have phoned me, and I've had offers from the Conference to the Ryman League."

Asked if he would consider playing under Steve King again, he said, "Most definitely. Steve's been very good to me, both as a manager and as a person, over the past three years. Kingy looked after me so I'd definitely take him into consideration."

Regarding the failed bid to take over the club and reinstate King, he said, "Someone gave me a ring and told me they weren't going to accept the bid.

"It didn't overly surprise me, to be honest. I was never that confident.

"I expected a "no", because for them to go back now when the damage is already done, and the team has mostly gone, it was too difficult to replace or repair. They might as well go on with what they've got now."