Carshalton Athletic stalwart Luke Pigden has joined rivals Wealdstone to win promotion out of the Ryman Premier League.

The midfielder, who has made 135 appearances for the Robins over almost four seasons, was the subject of a seven-day approach from Wealdstone after the cup clash at Hampton & Richmond, and he admitted that the time to move on was right.

However, while he joins a growing list of players leaving Colston Avenue since the sacking of Tommy Williams at the beginning of the month, Pigden insists the managerial upheaval at the club was in no way behind his move.

“Wealdstone’s interest and seven-day approach came out of the blue, it was news to me,” he said.

“I decided to talk to Gordon [Bartlett, Wealdstone’s manager] and he did not really have to sell the club to me, I know how good they are, and I felt it was the right time to move on.

“This would have been my fourth season at Carshalton, and leaving is tough because I know so many people here and feel at home here, but the set up at Wealdstone is too good a chance to miss.”

He added: “They are at the top of the table, so my challenge there is to get in the first team, and then win promotion.

“That’s what I want to do, I want to win things in football and with the fan-base, the players and the set-up there, Wealdstone can do that.”

Pigden joins Bruce Hogg (to Kingstonian) and Steve Butterworth (to Harrow Borough) as departees from Carshalton, but he denies the club is in trouble since Tommy Williams was sacked.

“A lot of people had known Tommy for a long time, and so were upset when he went. But we’re paid to do a job for Carshalton. Managers come and go, it is part and parcel of football.

“There is a good vibe at the club after some good results, Ian [Hazel] is getting things settled down and whoever comes will inherit a confident team.”

He added: “I have loved my time at Carshalton, but now is the time to move on. It is tough to leave, but I am joining a club I think can win the league this year.”