DILIGENT non-league midfielder Chris McPhee described Salisbury City’s summer meltdown as “one nightmare after the other”.

The 31-year-old is among the ex-Whites players who were left stranded, with no wages or club after Moroccan Otail Touzar completed the takeover of the club in May.

In an interview with the Journal, McPhee said he had plans to continue with the Whites when Mikey Harris had agreed a new deal.

“I spoke to Mikey just as the season closed and he said he wanted to extend my contract.

“I thought when the takeover went through there would be opportunities for him to strengthen the squad as well.

“So when we went away it was just another summer, having your break with your family, keeping fit and refreshing.

But as things unfolded, it was just one nightmare after the other.

As soon as the income stops, it puts pressure on the family, your marriage and makes things very difficult because you have to start thinking back to square one.

“What am I going to do now?

“I started speaking to different clubs and there was a time when I was in a lot of limbo.

“We never knew whether there was going to be a club with the Moroccan in charge.

“I kept making calls, trying to find out what’s going on. I was told I’d know next week, then next week turned into next month and next month turned into whenever.”

McPhee, who spent two seasons at Salisbury where he carried a precarious threat in the front line, was vowed a player/coaching role under Steve Claridge.

That was providing City’s appeal to rejoin the Conference South was successful, which it wasn’t, leaving McPhee in limbo.

“I just couldn’t wait any longer,” he added.

“I spoke to Steve and he was convinced the new consortium was going to takeover and was setting things up.

“The more we spoke the more we got on but after that conversation nothing really materialised due to the circumstances at the club.

“He seemed to have everything organised but things kept on getting delayed and at some stage you have to put your family first.

“I had to tell Steve I had an opportunity at Weymouth, towards the end of preseason, and I couldn’t wait any longer.”

A year ago, McPhee secured Salisbury’s maiden away win at Lincoln City in the Conference Premier, a club he has fond memories of.

He continued: “I just hope they survive. It was a well-run club, and well-supported.

“There was a fantastic vibe around the place and it was enjoyable to go to work.”