TOP-scorer Mike Symons has told Worcester City manager Carl Heeley that he will be leaving the club and signing for Oxford City.

The burly hitman, who has been the leading scorer for the past two seasons at St George’s Lane, is the latest in a string of first-team regulars to be leaving the cash-strapped club.

The versatile Rob Elvins and wideman Matt Birley have already agreed to join Solihull Moors for next season, while Symons will be joined out of the City exit door by Jacob Rowe, Charlie Reece and Michael Taylor.

Former Birmingham City centre-half Rowe is moving away from the area, but Heeley has secured an agreement with the youngster should he return in a year’s time as planned.

Heeley said: “However, as well as Matt and Rob, who have agreed to sign for Solihull, others have advised me they will be leaving the club.

“Jacob is relocating to Bournemouth, so he won’t be with us next season. He has said the move is likely to be for just one year, so we do have an agreement that he could come back in the future. Charlie has advised me he won’t be playing football next season, while Mike has told me that he will be leaving and signing for Oxford City. As he doesn’t drive, Michael cannot commit to the travelling down to Worcester, so he won’t be with us either.”

Heeley admits his hands are tied by the financial problems besetting City, which will see his playing budget drastically reduced.

He added: “Everything is still up in the air at the moment, which makes life incredibly difficult. There are some of the current players who have agreed deals, but I can’t say too much about that yet.

“All the uncertainty and negativity around the club is making it very difficult, but I can’t do anything about that. It will be incredibly challenging.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to wish the lads that are leaving all the best and thank them for their efforts. They have all played their part in different ways, but players move on.

“We’ve done our best to keep them and they were all offered deals within the constraints of what we have to work with, but they chose to reject them.”

n Former City midfielder Sam Wedgbury has left Blue Square Bet Premier outfit Macclesfield Town to sign for League One side Stevenage.

Sheffield United signed Wedgbury from Worcester in 2006 before he joined Macclesfield in 2010.

He went on to represent the Silkmen more than 100 times.