IAN Rowe says he has lost a “soldier” after Marvin Nisbett’s departure from Gornal Athletic.

The striker made the switch to Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division outfit Stourbridge last week and came off the bench during the Glassboys clash with Gosport Borough on Saturday.

Rowe has moved quickly to fill the void by snapping up Rion Francis-Mills from Dudley Town.

But he admitted to mixed emotions over the loss of Nisbett, who first played under him at Dudley Town before switching to Gornal along with the manager in 2010.

Rowe said: “From a personal point of view I’m ecstatic for the lad.

“He has been loyal to us, he has been on of the soldiers over the last three or four years but he is moving on to a bigger club.

“I hope it works out for him, he certainly goes with our best wishes.

“From a selfish point of view I’m gutted as it does leave us with a gap.

“But one man does not make an army.”

Rowe admitted much of the disappointment over Nisbett’s departure had been tempered by the capture of Francis-Mills, a player who has caught the eye with several stellar performances for the Robins this term, scoring 12 goals in the West Midlands League Premier Division.

He said: “It’s a real coup for us because Rion has the potential to be a real class act.

“He’s another player who has been looked at by Stourbridge so they definitely see the promise too.

“I moved quickly when we knew Marvin might be moving and got the seven days in.”

The move has gone down less well at Dudley, with joint manager Andy Wyton stating he feels the striker has made a “massive mistake.”

He said: “He is moving up to the Midland Alliance but has been training with Stourbridge, I think he could have moved higher.

“Saying that, I don’t begrudge him the move and he goes with our best wishes.

“It’s a big blow for us but it’s a chance for other strikers to step up.”