CHATTERIS Town boss Ossie Mintus has admitted he is worried about a mass exodus of players to neighbours March Town United.

Talented midfielders Aaron Bailey and Aidan Hollis have already swapped West Street for Paul Crosbie’s revolution at the GER.

Lilies captain Stu Porter, centre-back Tony Brown and goalkeeper Ben Collett look set to follow and former Chatteris midfielder Ash Spendelow has also signed for the Hares.

Mintus, who took over from caretaker boss Julian Young at the end of last season, admitted he was concerned at the departures.

“It’s very frustrating,” he said. “The boys keep saying to me that they’ve been at the club a long time and they want to play at a higher level.

“They are quality players and they can easily play higher but I was hoping to keep them together and achieve something this year.

“As far as I was concerned I was taking over a club that wanted to go places.

“I’m worried but I will sit down and have a meeting with the local lads at the club and see where we go from there.”

Chatteris are due to play Godmanchester in a pre-season friendly on Thursday and St Ives Town on Saturday.

Mintus said: “The players have had offers to play higher and I can’t blame them for taking them. You have to play as high as you possibly can.”