NATHAN Hayward revealed how uncertainty created by last season’s off-field troubles had influenced his change of heart over staying at Worcester City.

The midfielder originally agreed terms for a second campaign with his hometown club but performed a U-turn earlier this week on the back of interest from a higher level.

Hayward politely declined to comment on his destination but confirmed he would not be staying.

Offering a candid explanation, the 26-year-old lifted the lid on lingering doubts over the upheaval caused in March when chairman Anthony Hampson warned the homeless club may need to go “fully amateur” to fund its Parsonage Way stadium project.

It came in the aftermath of £290,000 losses for the financial year up to May 2017.

The likes of joint-boss and striker Lee Hughes, Brad Birch, Tyler Weir and Nathan Vaughan were among those to depart just as City’s Midland League promotion race was coming to the boil.

A club statement released 26 days later declared it would remain semi-professional but Hayward claims the squad has still had no engagement from the boardroom since, prompting the nagging doubts that made it easier to turn his head.

“The main reason I wanted to stay was for John Snape (manager) and the staff but having sat down and had a think I came to the conclusion that would not be right,” said Hayward.

“I had options elsewhere and spoke to Snapper about it. He totally understood and if anything insisted on me doing it.

“As much as he wanted me at Worcester, he is a good bloke and didn’t want to hold me back. I have so much respect for him for that.

“Worcester City has the right management and staff in place to go forward. They are great blokes who put so much hard work into the club.

“I really appreciate and respect everything they have done for me in the season just gone. They deserve to kick on and win things and I hope they do but it is hard for them.

“I don’t want to slate anyone but after what happened last season I was worried something similar would take place if things didn’t go to plan.

“It was not ideal for me. I wanted to show commitment but at the same time other options were open and I didn’t want to miss out.

“John is doing really well with the resources he has been given but unless someone is brought in to help financially I don’t think Worcester City can progress.

“It was nothing to do with money for me and John knows that. Now I have started to play football properly again and have my head straight I am looking to settle with a team and achieve things.

“In my opinion, the board hasn’t helped John and the backroom staff by doing what they have.

“The insecurity of them supposedly cutting the budget down to zero could have scared off people. I can’t speak for others but can understand any uncertainty after what we read in the paper.

“As players, we didn’t have a clue what was going on at the club. They were on about going amateur and we didn’t know whether there was a future for the club.

“It is a shame. Ever since that started last season, the uncertainty has been there and little else. There hasn’t been much clarification about what’s going on. Is the club going to progress? What are the aims?

“The only person who has said our aim is to get promoted is the gaffer. We have had no information from the board about what was said in the paper and what that meant going forward.

“From my perspective, I wanted to know so I could concentrate on what I needed to do.

"The uncertainty and negativity did affect us last season. Regardless of the financial situation, we didn’t know whether there would be a club at the end of the season.

“I felt too unsure of everything and I don’t think John knew what was going on to be honest.

“That was not the main reason I left, it was because I want to progress and do what I can to better myself and achieve things. I just don’t feel like I can do that at Worcester City at the moment.”