POPULAR midfielder Sam Alsop is leaving Bromsgrove Rovers after deciding against accepting new terms at the Victoria Ground.

The news is a blow to new boss John Snape, who was hoping the former Redditch and Birmingham player would stay.

Snape was still negotiating with Marlon Walters and was expecting to sign him last night (Tuesday).

Meanwhile, Rovers have been handed a tough draw in the preliminary round of the FA Trophy.

They will travel to Hampshire to take on Fleet Town, a team who finished fourth in the Ryman League North last season.

The tie will take place on Saturday October 3.

l Snape met the club’s supporters last Tuesday when the club held a fans’ forum in the Victoria Club at the ground.

Assistant manager Darren Grocut, director of football John Morris and chairman Tom Herbert also took questions from the floor.

Snape called for a new era at the club and a culture of openness where he would be willing to talk to the fans after the match about the decisions he had made.

He pledged to play an attacking 4-4-2 system, saying he had brought in the players which would allow him to do this.

He said: “I aim to operate with a squad of around 22 next season so there will be competition for places in all areas and we have some excellent players up front.

“With the likes of Luke Barlone and Jemiah Richards I will have plenty of options and I favour giving them a strike partner to work with instead of them being up front on their own.

“We also have to defend set pieces better, which was a bit of a concern last season because we were giving away silly goals at times.

“But I have brought in Adrian Manchester at full back to put himself about and I think the squad will look solid at the back.”

For details on all Bromsgrove Rovers news, the club has a new website at www.bromsgroveroversfc.com