GRAHAM Hutchison’s transfer to FC Halifax Town was a ‘no-brainer’ to protect the future of Worcester City, according to manager Carl Heeley.
The talented centre back made the step up to the Conference Premier last Monday, with the Shaymen paying a reported ‘five-figure sum’ for the defender.
And despite the Blue and Whites boss admitting the 22-year-old will be a big loss to the team, Hutchison had just three months left on his contract and could have left for nothing in the summer.
“From a football perspective it is a blow,” Heeley said. “I can be frustrated as a manager and be selfish about it but it is not all about that.
“You have to look at the bigger picture and the lad was out of contract in April and he can’t command a transfer fee at all and then we get offered a five-figure fee with three months to go.
“It is a no-brainer, you have got to let the lad go and make his decision if he wants to play at a higher level and look after the football club.
“We have done the responsible thing and he deserved to play at a higher level, he has done really, really well for us.”
Hutchison is the second City defender to be lured to a higher level, following George Williams’ transfer to Barnsley, but Heeley is confident his current rearguard can fill the void.
“It is a blow (Hutchison’s transfer),” he added. “But we have got good players.
“We have Shab Khan, Jacob Rowe, Wayne Thomas and Aaron Brown who are all natural centre defenders so we will be fine in that area.”