ANOTHER day and another two departures from Taunton Town FC's playing squad as the exodus continues at the club.

Both Nick McCootie and Joe Guest have departed the club and signed for Southern League Division One side Yate Town.

It brings the total departures over the last seven days to six - McCootie, Guest, Lee Lucas, Dave Sims-Burgess, Malachi Linton and Dylan Morgan.

Over the last month in total, those six, and Jay Foulston have all left the club after issues arose regarding payment and funding.

Looking at the squad now, Nat Jarvis and Ross Stearn are the only two remaining who can operate in the striker positions.

In the midfield, Guest's departure leaves just Lloyd James, Ollie Chamberlain, Zac Smith and Marcus Day who can play in the middle three.

However, of those, Chamberlain and Smith have been used as wing backs this season so the midfield is very much down to the bare bones, as is the whole squad.

Guest’s departure brings to an end a successful period with the Peacocks, having signed from Yate ahead of the 2021-22 season, a year in which he won both the Supporters’ and Players’ Player Of The Year awards.

He has since gone on to make 100 full and 11 sub appearances for the club and scored two goals.

For McCootie, it was his second spell at Wordsworth Drive, after he joined from Weston-super-Mare at the start of last season, 12 years after he was last at the club.

In total he amassed 49 full and 46 sub appearances for the Peacocks and netted 12 times.

Speaking on the two latest departures, Head of Football Rob Dray said: "Guesty will be a huge miss after a long period at the club.

"He’s made a huge difference and has matured since I signed him to be an established player. I will certainly miss him as he was an integral part of the squad.

"Pops (McCootie) has turned into a cult figure at the club and will be massively missed. He’s brilliant in the changing room and devastating on the pitch and will be a big miss.”

The club added: "We would like to express our thanks to Joe and Nick for their service whilst with the club and wish them both the best of luck in the future."