Prolific striker Zak Ansah has left Herne Bay.

Ansah, the son of former Gillingham, Brentford, Bromley and Southend midfielder Andy Ansah, proved a big hit in his three-and-a-half year stay at Winch’s Field.

The 28-year-old, who also plays for popular Sunday League side SE Dons, helped the club to promotion from Isthmian South East last season through the play-offs and scored 57 goals in 100 appearances for the club.

“Thank you for everything, Zak,” the club said on Monday night in a surprise statement.

“All the very best going forward.”

Ansah last term scored 25 competitive goals for Bay, including one as they beat Haywards Heath in April in their play-off semi-final on penalties after a 3-3 draw, but he didn’t register a competitive goal for the club this term.

Ansah started out at Arsenal and also had spells at Woking and Hythe.

"It's with real sadness [we] see Zak leave the football club," boss Ben Smith told the club website. "He's an unbelievable player and very humble person.

"He leaves as a club legend and, in my opinion, one of HBFC’s greats.

"Football is, of course, a team sport and we had a fantastic squad of players last season, but Zak was the difference over the course of the season.

"We thank him for unbelievable service and loyalty when many players would have left for one of the much bigger offers he had throughout his time with us."

Herne Bay lost 3-2 at Hendon in the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round last weekend, despite first-half goals from on-loan Tonbridge attacker Mason Saunders-Henry and Rory Smith.

This Saturday, they are in FA Trophy action at home to league rivals Bishop’s Stortford in what will be only their second match on their new 3G pitch.