Goalkeeper Marcus Garnham is looking forward to a new challenge after deciding to leave relegated AFC Sudbury.

The experienced stopper is keen to remain at Isthmian Premier level after being unable to keep Jamie Godbold’s side in that division last season.

“I had a chat with Jamie (Godbold) and I thought it was the right thing to do – to try and stay at the level I have been playing this year,” said Garnham.

“I appreciate everything he (Godbold) has done for me and I thought it was best that I was up front with him and told him where I was at, before it went on any longer.”

Garnham, who has Premier Division experience with Bury Town, and briefly played in the Conference North with Lowestoft, was named the Yellows’ Players’ Player of the Year at the club’s recent awards ceremony.

“It’s nice to know I can still cut it (at Isthmian Premier level),” Garnham added.

“It was nice to keep Sudbury in a few games last season but it was disappointing losing games on a regular basis.

“From a personal point-of-view I think it was a good test of my mental strength, trying to be positive in a difficult situation, although there is always room for improvement.”

Sudbury boss Godbold guided the Yellows to promotion to the Premier Division in 2016, having taken over from David Batch during the season, but could not save them from relegation straight back down to Isthmian North in April.

Having elected to stay with the club, Godbold is the right man to take Sudbury forward, according to Garnham.

“He will get the players on his side and the club is in a good position, with everyone at the academy having done a fantastic job to get several youngsters ready for the step up to first-team,” Garnham explained.

“The North division isn’t going to be as intense as the Premier and it should offer them a perfect chance for them to showcase their skills.

“There are some good youngsters at the club, the likes of Ollie Dunlop and Joe Wright, while my last game at Sudbury was in the under-21s and there was some very good players in that team.

“I hope they can push on next season.”