NEWPORT County boss Terry Butcher has revealed his disappointment at losing key defender Darren Jones, but insists the club had no option but to concede defeat in the battle to keep their captain.

Your Argus player of the season Jones confirmed his departure from Rodney Parade on Friday, after agreeing to re-join Conference outfit Forest Green Rovers, seven years after he departed the New Lawn.

Unlike the dozen players released by Butcher last week, Jones was very much in his plans for next term, but opted instead to drop down a division.

And Jones himself made no bones about the fact he was making a business decision, for the good of his family, an assessment not disputed by Butcher.

“Darren Jones is a player we wanted to keep, I had several conversations with him and it was always courteous, there was no falling out,” Butcher told Argus Sport.

“Ultimately it comes down to the bigger picture, both for the club and for Darren.

“I think he’d have liked to stay and we would have liked to keep him, but it didn’t work out.”

Butcher pulled no punches in admitting the reason why Jones departed.

“It came down to money, we offered Darren a deal and then we raised that offer,” he explained.

“But ultimately, we couldn’t get anywhere near the offer Forest Green Rovers made him. Not even close.

“Forest Green obviously have a history of giving out these very good contracts and that is their prerogative as a club chasing entry into the Football League.

“But Darren was very good about it. He will be 32 in August and needed to look out for what was best for him and his family.

“I would have liked to keep him here, but we have to think about the whole squad, not just individuals.

“It comes down to the need to spread the budget across the whole squad.

“We feel there is some good value to be found out there.”