Castle gutted to lose Bastock

Bastock goes with City manager’s best wishes

ST ALBANS City manager Steve Castle says Paul Bastock leaves Clarence Park with his best wishes.

In a whirlwind turn of events the 40-year-old goalkeeper agreed to return to his hometown club Boston United after they made an approach on Wednesday morning.

“He goes with my best wishes and I’d like to think he goes with everyone’s best wishers,” boss Castle told the Herts Advertiser.

“He was in turmoil, we’ve got a good relationship and he’s got an affinity for this football club but he’s going back to a club where I believe he was voted the club’s best ever player. It’s a no-brainer in my eyes.”

Castle believes Bastock’s return home may help to extend the veteran’s career and says as soon as he took the phone call from Pilgrims’ boss Jason Lee he feared the worst.

“It’s a move that might just help extend his career and I’m pleased for him but gutted from our point view,” explained Castle.

“I first heard about it this morning (Wednesday). Jason Lee has taken over there and he rang me this morning. I knew as soon as he rang what it would be about and I rang Paul and gave him an hour to think about it. I left him in a dilemma and he came back and took the Boston option.”

Bastock’s departure leaves City with no recognised goalkeeper for Saturday’s make or break game with Thurrock and Castle is busy trying to secure the services of a stopper in time for the relegation shootout.

“I think we’re going to have to take the route of a young lad as good as Lee Butcher was when he came in. I’m on it as we speak,” the manager added.