EARLIER this week Taunton Town Football Club confirmed the departure of club legend, Lloyd Irish.

The goalkeeper has made the transfer from Taunton to Barnstaple Town in the Division One South of the Southern Football League.

Lloyd will go down as a club icon after amassing 376 full appearances for the Peacocks during two spells at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium.

From 2008 when he first joined the club up until present day, Lloyd has been well respected by Taunton fans and will leave a lasting impact on the club.

After four years at Weston-super-Mare plus short spells at Tiverton and Bideford, Lloyd returned to the Peacocks in October 2014 and was a virtual ever-present, making 239 consecutive appearances from his first game back until missing several matches during 2018-19.

His popularity saw him pick up the Players’ Player of the Year award in 2015-16, the season which saw him score his only goal for the Peacocks with a downfield punt against North Leigh to win the game.

Somerset County Gazette: Taunton Town's Lloyd Irish. Pic: Steve Richardson.

This season he has been recovering from a shoulder injury meaning his appearances have been limited due to time out.

Lloyd told tauntontown.com:” I’d like to thank everyone at Taunton Town for everything over the past 7 years or so.

"I have memories that will live with me forever, the club is heading in the right direction both on and off the pitch; Kevin Sturmey has done a great job in the time that I’ve been back, and I have no doubt he will continue to push the club in the right direction.

"Thank you to all the players that I have been fortunate enough to share the pitch with over the years, and a huge thank you to all of the Peacock supporters who supported me and the rest of the team through thick and thin.

"At 33 I need to be playing so I have made the decision to move on to get game time."