Former King's Lynn striker Jack Defty branded his treatment by the club 'a disgrace' after joining Blue Square North new boys Corby. The long-serving Linnets' frontman is the highest profile casualty of incoming boss Carl Heggs' new era after scoring 90 goals in 308 appearances for his boyhood team.

Former King's Lynn striker Jack Defty branded his treatment by the club 'a disgrace' after joining Blue Square North new boys Corby.

The long-serving Linnets' frontman is the highest profile casualty of incoming boss Carl Heggs' new era after scoring 90 goals in 308 appearances for his boyhood team.

Defty held talks with Unibond Premier rivals Boston before opting to link up with the Steelmen having being frozen out of Heggs' future plans at The Walks.

“I've never, ever looked to leave King's Lynn but when you're not left with much choice you have to go elsewhere,” said Defty, a fixture in his local side since making his senior debut back in 2002. “It will be strange and sad not to be wearing the blue and gold but I have to accept a new manager comes in with new ideas. It would still have been nice for someone at the club to maybe give me a call.

“I've read bits and pieces that the new manager has said and when someone has a go at you it's pretty clear where you stand. But to come out and say if last season's players love the club they will get in touch with him - I think that is poor. You talk about loving the club, well, for five weeks last season we never got paid and we're still owed money. Without those players staying at the club who knows what would have happened.”

The 27-year-old insists Keith Webb's Conference North squad deserve more respect.

“I don't think it should have been left for last season's players to get in touch,” he said. “It's a bit of disgrace to be treated like that to be honest. Just because you're out of contract should not be an issue. When I've been out of contract at the end of each season in the summer I've always waited to see what the club wants to do and then they've got in contact with me.

“Instead I've been totally blanked and I've spoken to a lot of the players and not one person from the club has been in contact. That to me is a clear sign we are not wanted. It's a shame how it has gone but that is football. I enjoyed my time there and made a lot of good friends - now its time to move on.”

Defty is the latest ex-Linnet to sign on for the Steelmen who succeeded Lynn as Southern Premier champions last season.

“I was speaking to Boston but Corby will be playing in Blue Square North and Graham Drury has tried to sign me the last four or five seasons,” said Defty. “When someone wants you that badly as a manager you want to go and play for them. I've spoken to three or four of the Lynn boys who went over there and they can't speak highly enough of the manager.

“I'm now quite looking forward to it. Any player wants to play at the highest level they can and I'm no different. Last season was a challenge but I felt I did okay - even though the team was struggling. Now I just want to go over there and try to force my way into the side.”

Drury admitted he was delighted to recruit Lynn's 13-goal top scorer from the club's troubled Blue Square North campaign.

“This is another great signing for us,” he said. “Defty has a real presence about him and will be a great target man. In addition he scores his share of goals and is great in both boxes. I have tried to sign Jack before without success so I am really pleased he has finally decided to come and join me. We know he can do a job in this league and his experience will be a real bonus to the Steelmen.”

A group of Lynn fans behind the launch of a supporters' trust is holding its next meeting on Thursday, June 25 (7.30pm) at the club's Blue and Gold function room.

After a unanimous vote to establish a supporters' trust, fans are now being asked to help shape the way forward by playing their part in forming a working party. The supporters' trust is scheduled to be launched later this year in September.