CASH-STRAPPED Worcester City have got to “get rid of a lot of players”, claims recently departed striker Lee Hughes.

The Blue and Whites’ hopes of retaining their Vanarama National League North status suffered a huge blow when Hughes agreed to join relegation rivals AFC Telford United.

But the former West Bromwich Albion frontman said City were “happy” to let him go after Telford made a “tentative” approach.

The 40-year-old said he had also become aware of the “financial difficulty” the exiled club were in and understood he was one of several players they were looking to let go.

“I had a great time there,” said Hughes, who scored 33 goals in 57 appearances since joining in September 2015.

“I met some great people and scored quite a few goals for them.

“But I found out that the club was in financial difficulty and they have got to get rid of a lot of players.

“I was one of them, so I decided to speak to them about it and they were happy for me to go.”

Telford boss Rob Smith admitted he was “surprised” to land City’s top goal-scorer and claimed there were “five other clubs” also keen to snap him up.

The Bucks are one place below struggling Worcester, who are three points above the drop zone and on a run of 11-matches without a league win.

”We became aware of Lee’s contract at Worcester and made a tentative enquiry,” he said.

“We were surprised to hear that he was available.

“I am not sure whether Worcester have got a few issues at the moment financially, but we got in contact with him and it was all done pretty quickly because there were about five other clubs in for him.

“In my opinion he is the best goal-scorer at this level apart from Danny Rowe.

“To get someone of that ilk is virtually impossible so it was too good of an opportunity to turn down.

“If we hadn’t have got him there would have been five others who would.”

The ex-Coventry City player’s departure comes just days after he expressed his interest in the managerial vacancy at City.

But Hughes, who has scored 14 goals in 20 starts this term, said he had no plans to hang up his boots as he looks to play a key role in Telford’s survival bid.

“I am really looking forward to it,” Hughes said.

“I have scored quite a few goals against Telford in my career, but I have always enjoyed playing at their stadium and I am looking forward to working with the lads now and concentrating on trying to get Telford safe.

“I have still got a few (years left).

“I have scored 14 in 20 starts this season, so hopefully I can keep this up and keep feeling sharp, so I can carrying on.”