Glen Southam has admitted that he did not want to leave Sutton United, and his departure may never have happened had they not lost to Whitehawk on bank holiday Monday.

The former skipper left the Lane last week, almost a year to the day after he arrived, with boss Paul Doswell announcing that the midfielder’s business interests had taken him in a different direction.

Southam insists the decision to leave was not his, but instead, after talks in the aftermath of the Whitehawk defeat, it was decided for him that he should go.

Southam said: “It was an amicable decision, and one that was not easy for both parties, but I did not make the decision to leave.

“We all know what Dos is like, if we win he’s on a high and if we lose he takes it personally.

“We’d played really well against Wealdstone on the Saturday, but were not good against Whitehawk. Dos and I did not fall out, but things were said after the game.

“By Wednesday it was still very raw, and it was decided I should go. It was all a bit rushed and I didn’t really want to go.”

He added: “Football has always come first with me, but I’ve been caring for my grandad for the past month, and my business in watches and jewellery is growing.

“The defeat at Whitehawk came at a bad time, if we’d won we would not be having this conversation.”

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Doswell has replaced Southam with the return of Bedsente Gomis, and the arrival of former Arsenal youth player Craig Eastmond.

Meanwhile, Southam has not ruled out a return to the Lane in the future.

“My heart is still at the club and I can’t speak highly enough of Paul and everyone at United,” he said.

“If anyone deserves success, it is Paul, and I am disappointed that I could not be the one to give it to him.”

He added: “I believe in the players at the club, and I was proud to be their captain.

“I will never say never about returning.”