Former captain Steve Sutherland has quit Met Police for Dulwich Hamlet and boss Jimmy Cooper believes the chance to play in front of big crowds was the deal breaker.

Sutherland followed fellow defenders Will Salmon, Ricardo Joseph, Jay Lovett and James Aldred out of the Imber Court exit as the Blues returned to pre-season training.

Cooper has brought in Slough Town’s former England schoolboy international Reece Yorke, VCD Athletic’s player of the year Elliot Cox, Chipstead’s Ishmail Thomas and former Chesham defender Jordan Gill as their replacements.

The manager admitted it was always going to be difficult to hold on to one of his star men with the Blues tightening the purse strings in response to continued small attendances.

“Steve has been a very good servant to our club over the past few years but with our current financial restraints he has decided that it was time to move on,” he said.

“The chance of playing in front of a very large crowd at Dulwich was the main reason for his decision.

“That, along with the budget, is something that we cannot compete with.”

Cooper has welcomed backed midfielder Ryan James from Margate and also signed former Bromley wide man Orlando Smith and Tonbridge Angels winger Dee Okojie to boost his midfield.

Former Blues youth team player James Cottee and Julian Owusu have been added to the striking options.

“We have lost some very good players but have replaced them with others who have the ability to make us even stronger,” said Cooper.