TOWN chief executive Mark Devlin has insisted that there is "no animosity'' towards Tommy Mooney in the wake of the striker's County Ground exit.

The much-anticipated parting of the ways became reality yesterday, with Mooney and the club failing to agree on the terms of a new contract for the 32-year-old player.

Town keen to maintain their current wage structure were unable to reach agreement with the frontman, who will now pursue his career elsewhere.

The news is a blow to both club and fans, with Mooney voted the Evening Advertiser/STFC player of the year the fulcrum of Town's ultimately unsuccessful promotion bid last season.

Manager Andy King was keeping his counsel yesterday, not wishing to comment publicly on the loss of his talismanic player.

But Devlin insisted there were no hard feelings and promised the cash made available as a result would go straight into King's transfer coffers.

"It is obviously disappointing from the club's perspective that we have been unable to reach agreement with Tommy over a new contract,'' said Devlin

"We made a fair, affordable offer to Tommy but sadly we were unable to agree a deal.

"There's certainly no animosity and we wish Tommy, a player who made a significant impression for the club last season, all the best for the future and in getting himself fixed up with a new club.''

Both Devlin and manager Andy King had stressed that the offer on the table to Mooney was a decent one and that the wage structure in place at the County Ground was not going to be broken.

King also felt he could not give one player what he wanted while seeing other players being asked to take less.

Mooney's departure leaves Town with Sam Parkin, Rory Fallon and Lloyd Opara, a new arrival from non-League Grays Athletic, up front.

And the manager now has the opportunity to further strengthen his squad.

Devlin added: "Life goes on. It's only a week until the players report back and I'm sure Andy will be striving to find another new face.''

A midfielder is the manager's top priority as he looks to make a fourth summer signing, and he has already spoken with former Charlton and Republic of Ireland man Mark Kinsella.

Meanwhile, one of the clubs linked with Mooney Town's arch-rivals Bristol City may now make their move.

Ashton Gate boss Brian Tinnion is still on the hunt for a second striker, having already secured Notts County frontman Paul Heffernan.

Tinnion said: "After Heffernan, there are other people we are interested in.

"Some we are very keen to bring to Ashton Gate.

"I'd like to bring someone in to play alongside Paul Heffernan, and if we can get him to sign as soon as possible we can move onto the next one.''