SHAUN Dyke and Matt Bicknell, two of the heroes of Winchester City's 2004 FA Vase triumph, have been released by the newly-promoted Southern League club.

Bicknell, along with utility man Ian Buckman, has joined former City boss Neil Hards at Cirencester Town, while right wing-back/midfielder Dyke arguably one of the most silky-skilled players to have graced the Wessex League is still on the lookout for a new club.

It was no easy decision for City boss Steve Tate to part company with Dyke but, in the end, he decided the 29-year-old wasn't enough of a team player to take to the next level.

"Sometimes you have to make a judgement call and I decided not to renew Shaun's contact," Tate explained.

"There are certain types of player we are going to need in the Southern League and, with Shaun, Matt and Bucko moving on, it releases the budget for me to get them."

Bicknell who, like Dyke, starred in City's memorable 2-0 Vase triumph over AFC Sudbury at Birmingham two years ago, will be replaced at left-back by City's former Lymington & New Milton starlet Pete Smith.

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