Gordon Raynor was left reeling this week after three of his prize players left Giant Axe for good and to add insult to injury the man who delivered the killer blow was Alan Tinsley. The former Blues' boss, now with Bamber Bridge, has signed super striker Stuart Diggle along with Steve Trainor and Peter Borrowdale. The move follows a period of unrest at Giant Axe and after the news of Barrie Stimpson's exit last week will gave Yorkshireman Raynor one hell of a close-season headache. Raynor pledged to strengthen the side at the end of a disappointing season but was no doubt hoping some of his stars would form the base of that reconstruction. Only last week at City's presentation night held at the Dolly Blue Tavern, Steve Trainor waltzed off with three trophies for; player of the year, player's player of the year and the supporters' player of the year. Stuart Diggle has been a crowd favourite and prolific goalscorer for the Blues as has Borrowdale. No doubt new players can be brought in and younger talent allowed to emerge but fans will be worried by these latest developments.

At the time of going to press nobody from either club was prepared to make any statements about the moves.

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