The Dons boss Neal Ardley has made his first move towards what he hopes looks like promotion.

Going out the CRRS door are Ross Worner, Jack Smith, Alfie Potter and Mark Phillips – all released by Ardley this week.

The boss admitted that Phillips was a disappointing signing, but said Potter and Smith are victims of needing to adopt the look of promotion candidates.

“All the decisions were tough in their own ways, but we had a big staff meeting where we looked at what we lacked last season,” Ardley said.

“If you’re going to move forward, you have to audit the season and look at what promotion looks like because that is what we have got to aim for.”

He added: “Jack was a top end player in terms of the budget, we paid for his quality and he showed that quality.

“But, on the flip side, towards the end of the season, we lacked strength, height and leadership.

“Left back ended up being one of the positions we felt we could add that, with the money we were paying in that position.

“Alfie is also a victim of what we have lacked this season. I want players who can run with the ball and take people on, players who are game changers, and Alfie has shown in glimpses some frightening ability.

“But again it came back to what we lacked this season and what promotion looks like.

“We have to get into the team more of the grit and qualities needed to not play great and still win, and we felt Alfie has struggled to make an influence in games like that.”

Phillips’ season was been restricted to just 13 appearances, and only three since Christmas.

Ardley said: “It was a disappointing signing.

“I have made some good signings over the years, but you cannot get them all right and Mark was one that did not work out.

“He was not fit, and when he was fit, he got sent off.”