CIRENCESTER TOWN captain Shayne Anson has left the club and goes straight into the Paulton Rovers squad for tonight’s match against Hitchin Town.

Anson led Town to the championship last season – Paulton were promoted to the Southern Premier too via the play-offs – but the athletic right back has not made Ciren’s starting line-up in the last three league games.

He did play in the Red Insure Cup defeat by Shortwood and turned out for the Development Squad on Saturday when they went down to defeat at Hook Norton.

Anson was plucked by manager Brian Hughes from Hellenic side Slimbridge in January 2013 but he moved up to the Southern League seamlessly and was soon made club captain.

A no-nonsense defender and blessed with plenty of pace, Anson was a key player in Ciren’s title-winning season until a nagging groin problem ruled him out of the final games.

The injury persisted and he missed a full pre-season, therefore having to play catch-up in terms of fitness at the start of the campaign.

Having eventually forced his way back into the side – as well as regaining the captain’s armband – Anson was sent off against Chippenham and since serving his ban has been unable to regain his place in a successful Cirencester side that is blessed with top quality defenders.

Paulton Rovers manager Nick Bunyard put in a seven-day approach for Anson this week and Hughes has not stood in his captain’s way, releasing him with immediate effect so he can play in the Hitchin game.

“I like to think I have left Cirencester on good terms,” said Anson.

“I have a lot of respect for Hughesie and would not be where I am without him. I have also exchanged pleasant texts today with the chairman Steve Abbley.

“The Paulton manager expressed an interest in me and it was a hard decision – far from straightforward.

“Ciren now have a lot of great defenders so it was very awkward as I wanted to start not be on the bench.

“Even a fortnight ago I never would have thought this would happen, but things change very quickly in football.”