PORTLAND United manager Simon Browne says it is an “inevitability” of the success the club had last term that several of the islanders’ players are expected to move elsewhere next season.

Browne, who has been in charge at Grove Corner for less than two weeks, is likely to lose Jamie Beasley, Ed Bastick, Chris Clarke and Max Buckler to Dorchester Town, with Ross Carmichael and Tom Richardson also going elsewhere.

But the former Wimborne Town boss admitted that seeing players move to clubs in higher leagues was “just football.”

He said: “I’ve spoken to them all (Beasley, Bastick, Clarke and Buckler).

“It’s an inevitability of the success the club had last year that clubs in higher leagues are going to take an interest in players and the players are going to be attracted to other clubs, it’s just football.

“All four of them have said that if it doesn’t work out at Dorchester then they will come back to Portland but it’s certainly not definite that they will go up there.”

Browne believes the exit of key players will create chances for some of his squad players to make an impression on the team next season.

“I’ve spoken to the majority of the squad that want to stay and it will give an opportunity for some lads who have been on the periphery. I’m not overly concerned about it.

“Obviously I’d have loved them to stay but I can’t make them do anything,” he said.

Touching on the possible reasons the quartet had for moving away from Portland, Browne felt the players had created a gateway for themselves due to their notable performances.

“A few of the players wanted to make the step up. Robin (Satherley, chairman) said they had absolutely overachieved in the last few years and they deserved credit.

“They are victims of their success in some respects but we’ll start things off from fresh when we come back for pre-season and I’ll make some assessments and go from there. It’s very early days,” he said.

Browne also hinted that an announcement would soon be made on the appointment of his backroom staff, adding that he was waiting for his preferred choices to give him confirmation.