CAPTAIN Gary Thorne has left Cirencester Town as Brian Hughes continues to dismantle the side that previous manager Adi Viveash built.

Thorne was one of Viveash’s marquee signings in the summer, along with Julian Alsop and Kes Metitiri. All three have now left the Corinium Stadium.

In Thorne’s place, Hughes has signed Matt Sysum from Gloucester City on an initial three-month loan.

Sysum is expected to partner Andy Minturn in central defence for the match at AFC Hayes on Saturday, with Russ Courtney switching to left back.

Tom Etheridge, elder brother of squad member and Academy star striker Max, has rejoined the club to bolster Town’s midfield.

Like Sysum, Etheridge is dropping down a level having played most recently in the Southern Premier for Evesham following three seasons at Chippenham.

Of Thorne’s departure, Hughes would only say: “Gary left the club on Saturday.

“We had a difference of opinion over a football issue and he has moved on.

“Matt Sysum, who is a good friend of Carl Brown’s has been leapfrogged in the Gloucester City line-up by Ashley Thomas so he is coming to play for us for an initial three months.

“He is a young kid with quality who needs to be playing football and I hope it will benefit both him and us.

“Tom (Etheridge) wasn’t getting games at Evesham and we needed someone to partner Reidy in the middle of the park.”

Saturday’s defeat at home to the impressive AFC Totton was Town’s third in eight days and they languish in 18th place in the BGB Div One South & West division.

In his short tenure, Hughes has brought players in who can fill 10 of the 11 positions on the field – the exception being Steve Davies’ slot on the right side of midfield. But he insists the turbulence is set to stop.

“I am still talking to one or two other players, but we will draw a line under it by the middle of next week. Then we will go with what we have got,” said Hughes.

“The aim has been to bring in better players than we already have at the club - some will work out, some won’t.

“Now we need some continuity. Let them bed in and get used to playing with each other.

“Then I am convinced we will go on a roll.”