BRUCE Fenley, arguably the most successful captain in Worcester Rugby Club's history, is leaving to become a player/coach at Stourbridge.
The 31-year-old scrum-half has ended a four-year spell at Sixways because he wants to extend his playing career.
Fenley joined Worcester from Gloucester four season's ago and has led the club to two championships and the brink of Premiership One.
"I want to continue playing competitive rugby as I feel I've still quite a lot to offer," said Fenley.
"It was a very difficult decision, during the last four years I've been living the dream of going through the leagues with the club.
"Unfortunately we didn't quite make it and the last season has been disappointing with a large turnover of players."
Fenley's decision to drop down two leagues to Jewson Two North was influenced by the offer of full-time work from Worcester surveyors Harris Lamb and Co.
He has been working there part-time during last season.
"Bruce has been a great guy and a great player both on and off the field and we should be grateful for all he has done," said Worcester chairman Cecil Duckworth.
Full-back Sateki Tuipulotu also looks set to sever his links with the club.
The Tongan World Cup star will not return to Sixways unless he is offered a better deal.
Tuipulotu said he has offers from top-flight clubs in Wales and England and is going home to Australia to consider his future.
Should the 28-year-old get a better offer from an Australia club he will not even return to Britain.
"I'm going home to Australia because I want to see my family and make some decisions," he said.
"I've got offers with clubs over here, in Wales and Australia but I'm keeping my options open."
Fenley and Tuipulotu are the ninth and tenth players to leave Worcester this summer.
Fenley is also the third half-back to leave following the departures of Sililo Martens and Ben Harvey.
But Worcester has made its first close season signing with former Wales Under 21 scrum-half Matthew Taylor joining from Pontypridd.
Chris Simpson-Daniel, who made his first team debut at scrum-half at the end of last season, has also accepted an offer to stay at Sixways.
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