Fareham Town must bid a fond farewell to Lee Webber after Saturday's FA Vase third round trip to Deal Town.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper has agreed to play one last game for the Sydenhams Wessex League club before he climbs two steps up the non-League pyramid to Eastleigh.

Webber - older brother of Winchester City skipper Lloyd - has become something of institution at Cams Alders, where he has made more than 300 league and cup appearances.

He will be sorely missed by fans and players alike, but manager Louis Savage reckons the opportunity to join one of the area's most go-ahead clubs was too good to turn down.

He said: "Eastleigh have made Lee an offer he can't refuse. It's disappointing and it's going to be a hell of a job trying to fill his boots, but he goes with our best wishes because he's a really nice lad.

"Lee said straight away that he wouldn't leave us in the lurch for the Vase game and he'll play at Deal on Saturday. After that, we've got to try and get in a replacement."

Having been the first name on the team sheet for Fareham every week, Webber knows he will have to fight for a place at the Sparshatts Stadium.

Since Colin Matthews departed for Gosport Borough last month, the Eastleigh gloves have been in the vastly experienced hands of Wayne Shaw, who doubles up as goalkeeping coach for the Ryman Premier title chasers.

Eastleigh boss Paul Doswell said: "Lee's aware he's got to wait his turn because Wayne is playing well, but one of the reasons he's coming here is because he wants to get better and he's looking forward to training with Wayne.

"Wayne's at the age where he's learned a lot as a keeper and Lee respects him for that."

Webber sat out Fareham's 2-0 SWL defeat at Totton on Saturday suspended. He was replaced by former Chichester and Littlehampton keeper Anthony Musselwhite, whose older brother Jamie plays up front for Winchester City.