ALEX Whittle has expressed a desire to move on from York City.

The former Southport left back did not feature in the matchday squad for the 3-2 FA Trophy final victory over Macclesfield at Wembley, despite starting more games than anybody else other than skipper Simon Heslop during the 2016/17 season.

Manager Gary Mills admitted the decision was influenced by Whittle’s intention to seek pastures new and also confirmed that Vadaine Oliver – the scorer of City’s second goal under the arch – would be leaving this summer.

Unlike Oliver, Whittle is under contract at Bootham Crescent, but Mills said: “Alex has expressed that he wants to move on and that’s all still a bit raw. You have to make decisions and I mainly wanted people in the team who wanted to be with me next season.

“Not figuring wouldn’t have been easy for him, but he was celebrating with the players on the pitch at the end, which is full credit to him. He’s said he wants to play higher than the league we will be in and, if that happens, then good luck to him.

“He’s done well for the club and has probably been up there as one of our top three or four players. He’s under contract for another year with us, but I wish him all the best if he does move on.

“I won’t be able to keep Vadaine either. He’ll be playing higher next season and he deserves that chance, because he has done very well for me and I haven’t got a bad word to say about him.”

Mills stressed the importance, meanwhile, of now endeavouring to keep the rest of his squad intact as contract discussions for the National League North continue to be held.

“We can only say we can keep up the momentum from this occasion, if we get all the players signed up that I want,” he explained. ”I don’t want to be having to find 12 or 13 players, because that’s when trouble starts.

“We’ve got a few more pennies after winning and good players, which we need, cost money. It’s also my job to find two or three gems that don’t cost us much.”