Coyne rejects Magpies after quitting Windsor for Burnham

Midfield maestro Paul Coyne is on the verge of swapping the red of Windsor & Eton FC for the blue of rivals Burnham FC.

The 23-year-old has turned down a high profile move to Conference South club Maidenhead United, opting to sign for Jamie Jarvis at The Gore instead.

Royalists manager Keith Scott told to the Express yesterday (Thursday) of Coyne’s departure, while also confirming fans’ favourite Ben Porter, striker Ashley Vine and defender Mark Weedon have all left Stag Meadow.

“Paul has had an offer from Burnham a couple of weeks ago and he’s accepted it,” revealed Scott.

However, the Windsor boss admitted he struggled to understand why the former Watford trainee turned down a move to the Magpies to stay in the Southern League.

It was rumoured last season that Scott had alerted his former club Wycombe Wanderers about the possibility of taking Coyne into the Football League.

“Paul’s a good talented football who can play at a higher level,” Scott explained.

“He had an offer from Maidenhead and turned it down - I don’t know why.

“If he’d left Windsor to go to Maidenhead I would have said good luck. Drax (Magpies boss) has a good record of moving young players on to higher levels of football.

“They play a passing, attacking brand of football - that’s Paul’s style to a tee.”

Vine, who joined from Thatcham Town last season, has left the club for work commitments, while Porter left for travel reasons and Weedon, a signing from Uxbridge, wants to pursue first team football.

“We lost Ashley to work commitments,” said Scott. “We spoke when he got a promotion at work and he didn’t know his movements so couldn’t commit.

“Ben decided that travelling from Hemel Hempstead was too much.

“Mark has gone to search for regular football and has had a few offers.”

Despite the loss of four players, Scott is still yet to bring in any replacements, but is confident he can replace the influence of Coyne and Porter.

“Nobody’s hard to replace,” he stated. “There are always people ready to take their places.

“Both were very good servants to the club. Both are good footballers who want to move on - I have no problem with that.

“But what I want to do is bring in players who are better.

“I am looking for players and have spoken to five or six.”

He added: “I wish those who’ve left all the best, but the club will move on without them.”

Pre-season training begins on Wednesday.