DANNY Talbot says there are no hard feelings after leaving Chesham United for Southern League Premier Division leaders Hemel Hempstead in a shock move last week.

Talbot has been at The Meadow for five years and club captain for three and half of those, but after 262 games at The Meadow felt it was time for a change.

He said: “Sometimes you need a new challenge. I felt I was maybe getting a bit stale and not performing as well as I’d like to.

“I was told after the Taunton game that Hemel were interested and I felt it was time for a new challenge. It was an incredibly difficult decision. I’ve had a good five years at Chesham and really enjoyed my time there.

“It’s a great club and I’d been there a long time.”

It’s not good timing for Chesham though, as they battle to regain the form that has made them perennial promotion candidates.

Manager Andy Leese said: “It was a surprise, but I’d seen signs things weren’t right.

“We did try and keep him. We didn’t just let him walk away.”

Meanwhile, Talbot has tipped his former team-mates to reach the play-offs again.

He said: “I can’t see why they can’t emulate what they achieved last season. They’ve got a great new signing in Scott McGleish who will hopefully turn things around and I see no reason why they can’t finish inside the top five.”

Chesham go to Hemel Hempstead on February 2.