Midfielder Liam Bellamy revealed his sadness at leaving Dover but says his switch to full-time Aldershot is best for his career.

The 24-year-old arrived at Crabble in the summer of 2013 after a season at Ebbsfleet and became a vital part of the team which earned promotion to the National League and secured Whites’ record finish of fifth last season.

The former Charlton and Brentford youngster agreed a switch to Aldershot on Tuesday night and follows Nicky Deverdics (Hartlepool) and Stefan Payne (Barnsley) out of Crabble this summer with the future of promising defender Sean Raggett yet to be resolved.

Despite missing more than four months of last season through injury, Bellamy made 25 appearances in Vanarama National League - though he did not feature in either leg of the play-off semi-final which saw Dover exit against Forest Green Rovers.

Bellamy admitted: “It was a difficult decision to leave in a way because I have got some friends for life at the club, and I have a lot of time for the board and the management.

“It’s sad because I have enjoyed my time at the club but it was a footballing decision and after what happened with the semi-final I was always going to be leaving. This is the right move for me.

“I was a bit disappointed with what happened - obviously it was the gaffer (Chris Kinnear’s) decision, and I always got on well with him, but I was gutted not be playing.

"It is what it is. it’s time to move on.”

Bellamy said he hopes Aldershot boss Gary Waddock’s footballing philosophy will benefit him and said: “I almost feel like I have to prove myself as a player again.

“The style I have been playing at Dover means I have not been able to show every side of my game.

"I was doing a job for the team and I don’t mind but part of the reason I chose Aldershot was because I am hopeful that people will be able to see what I can do as a player again.”

He added: “I want to train as a pro and I think this move is best for my development as a player. When you drop out of the pro game it’s sometimes hard going into non-league. I’ve had some good times, some ups and downs, but I am looking forward to the challenge of next season.”

Bellamy told the Aldershot website he had “loved my time at Dover” and added: “It was a really good club. I have lot a lot of time for Chris Kinnear and the management. I told him i wanted to go back full-time and train in the mornings - he understood my decision.”

Dover’s Vanarama National League fixtures are announced at 1pm on Wednesday, July 6.