SALISBURY City goalkeeper Kevin Sawyer has been placed on the transfer list after asking to be released from his contract.

The club has confirmed that they will expect a fee for the highly regarded 26-year-old, who was ever-present in the side which won last season's Southern League Premier Division title.

City boss Nick Holmes said: "I have nothing but respect for Kevin and what he has achieved at this club. But it's his choice - not ours.

"He wanted certain assurances from us, but we couldn't guarantee him an automatic starting place in the first team this season.

"I spoke with the board about his request and we agreed we didn't want to keep unhappy players here against their will.

"We don't want him to go. But he's not happy and we have to respect his reasons for wanting to look elsewhere. He's been too good a servant to the club for us to mess him about, but we will require a small fee for him."

Sawyer kept 22 clean sheets as the club secured automatic promotion last season by a 12-point margin, and was also influential in their FA Trophy run which took them to the quarter-final stage before exiting at the hands of Exeter City.

Sawyer's place in the starting line-up has come under threat in recent weeks after the club added Ryan Clarke to their first team squad for their forthcoming Conference South campaign.

The player asked to be released from his contract prior to Saturday's Southern League Challenge Cup victory over Errea Cup winners Hitchin Town, for which he was named on the bench.

Sawyer has made more than 200 appearances for the Whites since joining them from Cirencester Town in July 2002.

In that time, the custodian has also made his mark at the other end of the pitch - scoring twice - both goals coming from spot kicks. One of them, against Lymington & New Milton helped Whites reach the first round of the FA Cup which saw him line-up at Hillsborough against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Swindon-based player has previously played for Bristol City reserves and the British College side.

Clubs interested in speaking with the keeper should ring Nick Holmes or Tommy Widdrington at the club on 01722 326454.