MICHAEL Green has left Eastleigh "with a heavy heart"

The hugely popular left-back, the club's longest serving player, has parted company with the Spitfires after five years.

"Greener" holds a special place in supporters' hearts having played in excess of 250 games for the club and been a key cog in the 2013/14 Conference South title-winning machine.

Hailing from the Lymington area, he has the added appeal of being a local lad made good - something of a rarity these days.

He came through the Wessex ranks with Christchurch and Brockenhurst before stepping up with Eastleigh and then helping AFC Totton to Southern One South & West glory in 2010/11.

His outstanding form for the Stags earned him a shot at League football with Port Vale, but he failed to settle in the Potteries and returned to Eastleigh, initially on loan, in October 2011.

In the eyes of many fans, Green was having one of his best seasons for the Spitfires and, at 27, he still has time on his side.

But Eastleigh have badly underachieved in the National League this term and, with Martin Allen - their third boss of a rollercoaster campaign - embarking on a major rebuilding job, Green was unlikely to feature for the former Barnet manager.

He follows fellow crowd favourites Joe Partington (sold to Bristol Rovers) and Jai Reason (now at Boreham Wood) out of the Silverlake door.

In his farewell message, Green said: "A massive thank you to everyone at the club for their support over the last five years.

"It's been an amazing journey with many highs from the FA Cup adventure to winning the Conference South.

"I leave with a heavy heart, but that's how it goes sometimes."

He added: "I want to thank Stewart Donald (chairman) for all his support and everyone that runs the club on a day to day basis.

"But, most importantly, thank you to the fans.

"Your support has been phenomenal over the years.

"It's means a lot and it's been a pleasure to pull on the blue and white over 250 times and play for you.

"I wish you all the best for the future and hope the club continues to grow as it has in my time here.

"Time now for a new adventure..."

Manager Allen has invited Green to carry on training with the Spitfires while he looks for a new club.

He said: "Michael's been a major player in the club's rise to the National League and, by talking to him and letting him know early that it was going to be unlikely that he was going to get a contract for next season, he can now find himself a new club.

"I must say he is a really nice person, he's been a great player for this football club and it's disappointing - it's a testing conversation to have and I wish Michael the very best when he finds his new club."