NICK Ridout sealed his move to Frome Town on Wednesday night, but not before a heated exchange with Melksham chairman Mick Perrin.

Ridout went to the Conigre to ask Perrin to sign his release forms and was disappointed with the reaction of the Conigre chief.

He said:"I know Mick's been wanting to speak to me for a couple of weeks and maybe I could have gone to see him sooner.

"Even so, I was disappointed with some of the things he said because I've been at the club for four years.

"Mick told me I was not welcome at the club any more. I guess it's a massive compliment that he got so annoyed when I left."

Ridout will join his new team-mates tomorrow when the Robins tackle champions Bideford in the Toolstation Premier Division.

The 18-year-old defender said he was glad to have sealed the deal before the weekend.

Ridout said: "I just want to forget what's happened now and concentrate on doing well for Frome. I need to get myself fit and try to force my way into the team."

Melksham begin life without Ridout with a trip to Pewsey Vale in the Wilts Senior Cup tomorrow.

Perrin said he hoped to draw a line under the situation after Wednesday's parting of ways.

He said:"I told Nick a few home truths to be honest.

"I'm disappointed because Kelvin and I went out of our way to try and get this resolved, but Nick was not prepared to go down that avenue.

"Frome have been exemplary in the way they have dealt with this - they never once forced the issue.

"Their manager Andy Crabtree made a very good point when he said a player should always leave a club on good terms.

"I don't want to stop anybody playing football, so if Nick wants to leave that's fine. He'll probably come back here with Frome as champions," Perrin said.