Long-serving goalkeeper Lee Hook heads a list of five players released by Eastbourne Borough.

Hook made 312 appearances for Borough after signing from Sittingbourne in June 2003.

He was players’ player of the year in his first season and supporters’ player of the year in 2005.

Hook made 52 appearances in all competitions this season. He was offered a new contract by manager Garry Wilson but declined and was then told he had been released.

Also leaving Priory Lane are Jay Lovett, Allan Tait, Pat Harding and Jacob Mingle.

Utility player Lovett made 149 appearances for Sports after joining from Lewes in June 2006 while forward Harding appeared 139 times after signing from County League side Hassocks at the same time as Lovett.

Lovett played 49 games this year, although he was often on the bench, while Harding appeared in 41 matches, scoring twice.

The departure of striker Tait is no surprise. The former Crawley striker has made 101 appearances for the club after signing from Canvey Island in the summer of 2006 but has been out on loan at Basingstoke this season and has never been a popular figure with Sports’ fans.

Midfielder Jacob Mingle signed from Horsham in January but made only four appearances for Sports.