Paul Clayton, Reece Tranter and George Cocklin have left Romford

Romford Recorder: Romford manager Paul Martin (pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO)Romford manager Paul Martin (pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO) (Image: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3LR - Editorial Use ONLY - FA Premier League and Football Lea...)

Paul Martin takes his Romford team to face AFC Sudbury in Ryman North this weekend and is extremely delighted he will be able to call upon midfielder Abs Seymour.

Boro have had an extremely difficult week with various players leaving the club due to different reasons and captain Jack Barry and Jamie Dicks will also be suspended for Saturday’s (tomorrow) match at King’s Marsh.

Romford Recorder: Paul Clayton in action against Soham Town Rangers recentlyPaul Clayton in action against Soham Town Rangers recently (Image: Archant)

But Seymour, who has made 162 appearances for the club, is remaining at Ship Lane after turning down an approach from another team this week.

Martin said: “Abs has turned down another seven-day approach and that is fantastic. He’s got a great attitude and he has told me he is keen to fight and keep Romford up, which is great to hear.

Romford Recorder: Paul Clayton scored his last goal for the club against Thurrock on February 4 (pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO)Paul Clayton scored his last goal for the club against Thurrock on February 4 (pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO) (Image: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3LR - Editorial Use ONLY - FA Premier League and Football Lea...)

“The offer was from a side pushing for the play-offs, but Abs has committed himself to us and I cannot praise him enough.

“If he had gone it would have been an absolute nightmare, but I praise his commitment. The time will come when he has to move on, but when the time is right.”

It would have been a disaster for Martin because three players have left Romford this week. Reece Tranter has finished his time with Boro and George Cocklin has signed for Heybridge Swifts.

But the worst news for the Ship Lane manager was record appearance holder and club legend Paul Clayton announced he is hanging up his boots.

“It’s disappointing to lose someone like Paul after what he has done for this club and for playing the amount of games he has for us,” added Martin.

“But he has a lot of work commitments and he is always on call and he can’t afford to turn that away.

“It’s sad to see, but I have nothing but praise for him and I understand his decision and respect that. He’s over 30 now and he has done his service for this club and I can’t thank him enough. We have lost George Cocklin to Heybridge Swifts as well.

“And I’ll be without Jack Barry and Jamie Dicks, who will both be suspended for the match, so I am currently looking to see if we can bring some players in.”

Although he will be without several key personnel at Sudbury, Romford have achieved victories there over the past two campaigns.

Martin accepts the play-off chasers have a “phenomenal” squad, but is confident his players will again give everything this weekend.

“If the game survives the weather we have a good record up there having won at their place the last two years 3-1 and 6-3,” he added.

“We know what we are capable of. But if you look at the squad they have got it is phenomenal really. We are all trying hard and the fans appreciate all the efforts we are putting in.

“They clap the players off and as long as the boys have given 100 per cent we cannot ask for any more.”

After last weekend’s match with Barkingside was postponed, Romford remain in the bottom three, but Martin is positive about their chances of beating the drop.

He added: “We still have the belief to get out of this and there are still plenty of points to play for.

“We haven’t been playing too bad, we just need a little bit of luck to turn it around.”