A former Premier League striker has left Basingstoke Town just two months after completing a fan-funded move to the seventh-tier club.
Charlie Austin, 36, joined Basingstoke in August on a free transfer after leaving fellow non-league club AFC Totton on July 4.
As part of the deal, it was agreed that a group of generous supporters at the semi-professional football club would cover the forward’s wages.
Austin, who scored on his debut, made four appearances for the Hampshire club before suffering a disappointing injury against Hungerford Town.
In an immediate effort to stop fans and members from paying his salary, given that he was no longer able to play with injury, Austin lobbied for supporter payments to be halted by the club.
His departure from the club was confirmed in a statement on Friday.
‘We’d like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made his time with us possible,’ Basingstoke said.
‘The generosity, commitment, and sheer determination shown by our Members and supporters was really something.
‘From the first conversations to the final details, people went above and beyond, giving their time, effort, and resources to make something, at least in our world, extraordinary happen.
‘With Charlie’s history, it was a signing that never felt possible until we leaned on the generosity of our supporters.
‘What followed became a shining example of what this football club stands for. Collective spirit and everyone playing their ‘small’ part in creating something bigger.’
Updating fans on what is next for those who had shelled out on Austin’s salary, the club added: ‘Contributors to Charlie’s wages have been kept up to date with developments throughout, and will know that supporter payments for his wages were halted once we became aware of Charlie’s injury, in line with his wishes.
‘Charlie played in our opening three games, scoring once on his debut and setting up a goal where he also picked up an injury away at Taunton in our 1-1 draw. He played once more coming on against Hungerford Town where the injury sadly reoccurred.
‘It’s our understanding that, following an approach, Charlie will be moving to a club much closer to his family home.
‘We’d like to thank Charlie for his time at our club, scoring on his debut and that memorable assist away at Taunton. We wish him and his family all the very best for the future.’
Basingstoke was Austin’s 14th separate spell at a club during his journeyed career, with fans remembering mostly for his years in the Premier League with QPR and Southampton and West Bromwich Albion.
The striker chalked up 34 goals from 111 top flight appearances — and hit the back of the net an additional 88 times in the Championship.
