Sitting fifth in the Conference South and looking good for a play-off place come May, Maidenhead United FC yesterday (Wednesday) waved goodbye to Richard Pacquette.

The Magpies’ top scorer has been one of the driving forces behind United’s rise up the league from relegation scrappers to a potential Conference Premier outfit.

However, Histon have taken advantage of the Magpies’ financial plight and poached Pacquette on a loan deal.

The Dominica international exclusively told the Advertiser that he is sad his time is up at York Road.

“In all honesty, I don’t want to go,” he said. “I’m sad to be leaving. But Histon came in and they’re flying at the moment. I thought it’s too good to turn down.

“I think Histon will get to the play-off finals. I’m going to go there and do what I did at Maidenhead and work hard.”

Pacquette explained that the most heartbreaking part of the decision to go was the fact he has been part of a remarkable story this season.

“It’s difficult and I’m sad, but that’s football,” he explained. “It’s disappointing because we had a good squad and had aims and surprised a lot of people.

“It’s a good squad to be around, the morale’s good and I’m going to miss it.”

Despite his departure and that of Dale Binns and Jermaine Hinds, Pacquette believes the current squad can still win promotion.

“The guys are capable,” he said. “There’s a good enough squad there to get to the final.”

If the loan move does not work out for Pacquette, he revealed that he would be more than happy to return to United and help the cause.

“I’ll come back to Maidenhead and get my head down,” he said. “I’ve never experienced being in a team chasing the play-offs.

“I’ll be upset not to be part of it if they go up.”

To read what club captain Ashley Nicholls has to say on his future, the departure of Pacquette and the financial situation at York see today\'s Maidenhead Advertiser.