LEWIS Solly admits it was with a heavy heart that he left Stourbridge — but is relishing a new challenge at Rushall Olympic.

The keeper called time on a seven-and-a-half year stay at Amblecote in which he made more than 350 appearances to join the Northern Premier League side last month.

Among his highlights during heady days for Glassboys he highlighted the play-off final win over Leamington and the memorable FA Cup run including two games with Plymouth and one against Stevenage.

“I’ve got some great memories of my time at Stourbridge,” said the 29-year-old. “It’s my local club and I’m very sorry to leave, I never wanted to and would have liked to have finished my career there.

“But I had to do the right thing for myself. “I didn’t think I would get a fair chance and was being eased out. “When I spoke to Gary (Hackett, inset) and I said I had the chance of a move to Rushall.

“He said he wanted me to stay, but I felt he didn’t put up much of a fight.

“It would have been a win-win situation for Gary having two good keepers fighting for a place but at the start of the season only one keeper would have the shirt, and to be honest I’m not the sort of person who would want to sit on the bench.”

Despite feeling he was no longer getting his chance at Amblecote, Solly says he harbours no grudges.

“Gary is good friend, there are no hard feelings,” Solly said.

“He has been fantastic for the club and we had some really good times, it’s just one of those things that happens in football.

“I want to say a big thank you to the fans who during my seven years with the club have been great. “The gates have been growing and they have been very loyal sticking with the club from the Alliance days to now when Stourbridge is one of the best clubs in the West Midlands.”

And when asked if he would ever like to return to Stourbridge Solly said: “I would never rule out going back. Who knows what the future holds.

“But for now I’m concentrating on Rushall. It’s a fresh challenge. I’ve never played in the Northern League and there are some big teams.”