McArthur set to leave Hastings

The gifted but volatile 22-year-old midfielder is on the verge of a move to Sussex County League club Rye & Iden United after Hastings accepted a fee of 500.

The amount is way below McArthur's true value but Hastings have decided to cut their losses on a player who has become something of a liability - better known for his disciplinary problems than his performances.

The final straw came after McArthur was sent off - the seventh time in four seasons at the Pilot Field - for elbowing an opponent in the defeat at Folkestone Invicta on Tuesday last week. Manager Steve Lovell had been prepared to give the former Brighton & Hove Albion professional one last chance but when the player refused to train with the rest of the team two days later it was time to act.

Lovell said that while he was manager McArthur would never play for the club again and the player, who still has a year left on his contract, was placed on the transfer list.

"I thought if that's your attitude there is no point having that sort of person around when we have got boys who are working their socks off for the football club," explained Lovell. "His attitude was that he didn't want to know and if he doesn't want to be around here there is no point in having him here so the sooner he goes the better it will be for him. He won't be involved in any more of my teams because I don't want people with that kind of attitude."

Life after McArthur continues on Saturday August 30 when Hastings take their bow in this season's FA Cup with a preliminary round tie at home to Ryman Division One side Bracknell Town.

Midfielder Ryan Peters (groin) is expected to return but Joe Cornwall (broken collar bone), Peter Sayer (fractured tibia) and Peter Taylor (ankle ligaments) are sidelined. Graham Webb is on holiday.