Joint manager James Gray insists St Albans City have a strong squad and can cope without top scorer John Frendo next season after his exit.

Frendo, who has finished as the club’s top scorer for the last two campaigns with a total of 51 goals, was offered terms to remain at Clarence Park but the striker has decided to move to rivals Hemel Hempstead Town.

Gray believes it was a financial decision and is adamant the Saints can manage despite Frendo's departure.

He said: “If you had asked me eight weeks before the end of the season I would have said it was a massive loss but we finished the season doing well and he wasn’t really involved as much.

“He is always going to be a loss because he will always score goals but maybe he needs a new lease of life.

“Players come and go and this has happened a lot since we’ve been in charge. But we are not too fussed and are very happy with the squad we’ve got.

“John, like everyone else, was invited back to pre-season but it [his move] must have been for financial reasons.

“He was a big player for two years for us but we move on and it’s a fresh new era. That’s life but 80 to 90 per cent of the squad are happy with what we can offer and are coming back.”

St Albans announced the signing of defender Jack Lampe on Monday.

The 23-year-old has most recently been at Concord Rangers and has also had spells with the Glenn Hoddle Academy, West Ham United Under-18s, Harlow Town and Bishop’s Stortford.

However the Saints boss does not expect to bring in too many new players this summer.

Speaking before signing Lame, Gray said: “I have agreed contracts with a couple of players but we’re just waiting to finalise them over the next week. We are not the biggest hitters in this league and we can’t offer the best deals in the league by a long chalk. But we are a progressive club and we’re looking to secure players who are hungry to play for us.”

The Saints have already agreed deals to keep player of the season Joe Welch, midfielder Sam Corcoran and defender Lee Chappell at the club next season.

James Comley, Steve Wales and Michael Malcolm are also staying with the Saints next season along with Omar Beckles, Danny Green, John Kyriacou, Darren Locke and Simon Thomas.

Gray said: “We’re over the moon with the players we’ve managed to keep for next year. Our squad on paper is very strong. It will be quite small with only about 17 or 18 but most of them are well established and we are happy with what we’ve got.”

City return to training tomorrow and after a two-week break in Cyprus, Gray is eager to return to work as the club start their pre-season campaign.

Gray said: “I can’t wait to get back in. I’ve been away for two weeks and had plenty of sunshine, beer and food so I’m ready to return. I love being involved with St Albans and get a real buzz out of the job so cannot wait to start up again.”