FORMER Newport County AFC midfielder Max Porter says he feels sorry for the Exiles fans who have seen their most successful team broken up by new boss Terry Butcher.

Porter is one of 15 players to leave Rodney Parade since the end of the League Two season – meaning County currently have just four senior professionals signed up for the 2015/16 campaign.

The 27-year-old from Essex says he is excited to have signed for Conference new boys Bromley along with former County teammate Lee Minshull.

But Porter is saddened to think that his three and a half years in south Wales – years that saw the Exiles win promotion to League Two and establish themselves as a Football League club – have ended on a sour note.

“I’ve loved my time in Newport but I am disappointed by the way it ended,” he said.

“I feel sorry for the fans because they have seen a very successful team broken up.

“I understand that the budget has been cut and I respect Terry as a manager and I know he’ll want to bring in his own players.

“But we’ve had a very good last few years and we’ve always had continuity and added quality to keep getting stronger.

“And last season we just missed out on the play-offs so we’ve been successful as a group and you expect that to be rewarded.

“I genuinely want Newport to do well but there was a lot of uncertainty towards the end of the season and they definitely need to improve the communication within the club and have a bit more clarity off the pitch.”

Despite the manner of his departure, however, Porter says he will look back on his County career with pride.

“On and off the pitch it has been brilliant,” he said. “I’ve loved being here.

“Getting to the FA Trophy final was an important platform to build on and getting promotion was massive.

“And we’ve had two good years in the Football League. It’s just a shame we couldn’t make the play-offs and leave an even bigger legacy.

“And off the pitch I’ve got engaged to Courtney and we’ve had our little baby boy Henry Morgan Porter.

“We’ve loved living in Wales and will be sad to go but the move to Bromley means we will be closer to family.

“Me and Lee play well together and the club is really ambitious so I’m looking forward to a fresh start and a new challenge.”