Both players made 44 appearances for Brakes last season, and were key members of the squad as a sixth consecutive season of Step 2 football was comfortably secured.

 

Callum leaves Leamington having made 220 appearances and scoring 11 goals since joining us, initially on loan, in March 2016. Having spent a large portion of his career in the National League he returned on a permanent basis in the September of the following season and became an integral part of the midfield set up, helping the team to promotion through the play offs and Birmingham Senior Cup success that season before five seasons of consolidation in the National League North, collecting two more Senior Cup winners medals along the way. 

 

Gitto has always been well liked by the Brakes support, not only for his feisty performances in the centre of the park but also his stints in goal on more than one occasion. The manager was full of praise for Callum, saying 'We're disappointed to see him leave us after so long, but Callum is 36 now and with a young family he is going to take some time to decide whether to play on for another season. 

 

'We knew it was probably going to be his last season in the National League North and if he does continue it will probably be at Step 3 where there is less commitment and less travelling. 

 

'Callum has been a big part of our squad over several seasons, making over 200 appearances and his experience has played a huge part in stabilising the club in the National League. It was a great way for him to finish with us, getting goal of the season against Kidderminster, one of his former clubs, and then obviously being a big part of the team that won the Birmingham Senior Cup at the Aston Villa, the club he supports. 

 

In my time as manager here he is right up there as one of the best players I have ever managed. It's a sad day, but sometimes these days are inevitable.' 

 

On his departure, Gitto said 'It was a tough call but I think it was the right time. I've had a fantastic 6 years here and it's been a privilege to play for Leamington. I'll take away some great memories and have met some great people along the way. It wasn't a bad way to finish, with that goal and to win the cup at Villa Park!' 

 

On Joe Parker,  who leaves us having made  54 appearances, scoring 4 goals since arriving from hometown club Gloucester City early in 2020, Paul said 'We were aware that with Joe his job might take him further south, which has turned out to be the case, and sadly the commute between Leamington and his work place is not going to be viable next season. 

 

'We've had an emotional journey with Joe, and probably the most pleasing thing is seeing the way he has come out the other side of it. I think the club as a whole - the changing room especially - certain individuals really showed their true colours when supporting Joe, and it's great now to see him up and running again, and getting back to the Joe Parker of old. The fact that he's finished his degree and is in full time employment now, the fact that he played as many games as he did last season, is testament to himself really. 

 

'Even though I would have liked Joe to have been here longer, I actually think that with the journey he has been on, being at Leamington has probably been perfect for him, that we've been able to assist him in getting back on his feet and back to somewhere near the old Joe Parker. We wish him well with his work career and his football career. I'm pretty sure he'll end up signing for someone in one of the southern leagues, and we hope that he goes from strength to strength now on and off the pitch. He's had a big impact on us over the last couple of years really, Joe.