BRIDPORT have allowed former first-team captain Dan Baggs and Bridport Reserves skipper Kriss Radivojsa to leave St Mary’s Field.
Baggs, who started the season as the Bees’ captain under previous boss Edgar Marcu, has not had the desired first-team game time in recent weeks.
Despite scoring twice in the reserves’ memorable 7-1 hammering of Sherborne Town Reserves, Baggs has been unable to force his way back into the side.
Baggs has consequently left for Chard in search of first-team football, while Radivojsa switches to Dorchester Sports.
READ MORE: Bridport 1-0 Torridgeside - match report
Bees’ boss Chris Herbst told the Bridport News of the reasoning behind the duo’s departure.
He said: “It’s one of those, you can see what we’re doing here and (Baggs) didn’t want to wait for his opportunity.
“It’s a shame to see Rads go because he did quite a bit. I don’t know if he wanted to be involved in the first team playing-wise.
“You can’t pick everyone and I can’t make special (promises) for people to play. If I start doing favourites that’s not how I am. I say it how I see it.
“We’ve signed Kingsley Wellman, a good centre-back who I played with at Lyme.
“People are having a look and thinking something’s going on at Bridport now. I’ve had a few players message, we’re getting the interest back.
“Dane James is playing really well in the reserves, if he can get a run of games he’ll be knocking on the door of the first team.”
Giving his side of the story, Baggs confirmed he chose to leave the Bees but did not rule out a future return.
The fans’ favourite, who came up through the ranks from under-13s to the first team, via a spell at Beaminster, said: “It wasn’t an easy decision at all, I’ve been at the club for years and given my all.
“Chris came in and he’s done a very good job. No disrespect to him, we’re very good mates, I found myself struggling to get in the team.
“It was being benched, being asked to play in the reserves, saying I wasn’t fit enough or not what he was looking for.
“I got my head down, played for the reserves, scored a couple of goals and I didn’t seem to be getting any chances, which was frustrating for me.
“I’ve been at the club for the past few years where it’s not been easy, where results haven’t been going our way.
“I had a conversation with Chris where we agreed it’s probably best for me to step away from Bridport to avoid arguments.
“I’m 26, I was first-team captain. I’ve done my years playing first-team football. I want to play for a first team and be competitive as long as I can. I want to play at the best level I can.”
Asked for his stand-out moment at Bridport, Baggs replied: “There’s a couple, I’ve scored a couple of hat-tricks.
“I scored a penalty last minute to get our only win last season against Ashton & Backwell.
“Just being made captain of my home town is a personal highlight, that’s something I never imagined.
“I’ve loved every minute. I’d never say never to going back. Football is a very interesting game and things happen in a short space of time.”
Discussing the loss of Radivojsa, reserve manager Adam Herring said: “Just in the whole club in general he’s helped.
“He took all our training sessions, first team and reserves. He helped me with my team selection and warm-ups, so it came completely out of the blue.
“Kriss was my captain and helped me a lot to get to know the team. He played centre-back for me.
“He’s just a real nice lad. He had the link to Dorchester Under-23s, so we found a few players through that.
“It’s a good decision for him but a sad one for us, really.”
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