WORCESTER City have begun the search to find a new goalkeeper to replace Solihull Moors-bound Nathan Vaughan.

The 34-year-old stopper ended his two-year spell at the club after agreeing terms to join last season’s Vanarama National League North champions.

Manager Carl Heeley admitted it was a blow to lose Vaughan, who made more than 60 appearances since joining City from Kidderminster Harriers in 2014.

But he insists he is confident of finding a player to fill his gloves ahead of the 2016-17 league campaign.

“Of course it has (left us with a hole to fill),” Heeley said.

“But when one person departs, the door opens for somebody else to come in.

“We have got irons in the fire, there have been constant discussions and we will replace Nathan. We will get someone in we feel can do the job for us.”

It is not the first time City have had to look to replace Vaughan as a new job at Jaguar Land Rover forced the former Evesham United stopper to depart the club last summer before a change in work commitments saw him return.

“We didn’t struggle to get a replacement (last summer) but I don’t think we looked seriously because I had a little bit of a suspicion that was not the end of Nathan’s association with the club,” Heeley added.

“We have to sort the situation out (this time). We would have liked to have kept Nathan but he has gone, so we will move on and have a chat to some potential replacements.”

Heeley said he understood Vaughan’s decision to leave City and have “one last crack” at playing in the National League.

“It is disappointing but he has done things in the right manner,” Heeley added.

“One of the key concerns Nathan had was he did not want to fall out with me or anybody else at the club.

“We assured him that, whatever decision he made football-wise, he would not get any bad press from me because he has been brilliant and given us some fond memories.

“Once we have had that conversation with him, he was open with me and said he got an opportunity to join Solihull and wanted to have one last crack at the National League.

“One of my golden rules as a player was to try and play at the highest level I could for as long as I could.

“So I am not going to criticise somebody for doing exactly the same in their playing careers, so good luck to him and he will always be welcome at the club.”