Goalkeeper John Danby has parted company with Chester FC after agreeing to terminate his contract with the club.
Danby signed a new two-year deal 12 months ago but has been the subject of much conjecture since being put on the transfer list in May.
Danby, whose contract was part-time, had been unable to train with the squad following the switch to daytime training for the 2014-15 season owing to his personal training business.
His status as one of the club's bigger earners - although earning far less than some have speculated - had been a factor in manager Steve Burr's decision too.
But with no firm offers on the table, the 31-year-old had started the current campaign as third-choice keeper behind Jon Worsnop and Freddy Hall.
Danby has been discussing a settlement on the final 12 months of his contract with the club over the past few weeks and an agreement was reached on Wednesday.
Both parties have emphasised he leaves on amicable terms and chairman Tony Durkin said Danby had been a 'fantastic servant' to the club.
Durkin said: "During his time with us he was key in helping us secure the successes we have enjoyed to date, whilst winning the coveted Non-League Keeper of the Year award along the way.
"John also holds the club record for the longest period of clean sheets. I am sure that all our fans would wish to join with me in thanking John for all that he has done for us and for the professionalism he has shown.
"We genuinely wish John well both in his future football career and in his personal trainer business."
Stoke-born Danby joined the Blues in May 2006 from Kidderminster Harriers and went on to make 133 appearances before the club was wound up in March 2010.
He moved to Eastwood Town but returned to the Swansway Chester Stadium in June 2011 when former boss Neil Young snapped him up, winning the Northern Premier League Premier Division and Conference North titles.
He started last season as number one but fell out of favour midway through the campaign when Aaron Chapman was signed on loan from Chesterfield.
Danby played more than 230 games for the club, setting the record for the most consecutive appearances with 128 and the most consecutive clean sheets, going eight games without conceding a goal in the 2011/12 season.
