MIDFIELDER Matthew Lock has insisted the "sour end" to his time at Chelmsford City has not dented his love for the club.
The 30-year-old signed for Conference Premier new boys Dover Athletic on Tuesday after failing to agree a deal to stay with the Clarets for the forthcoming season.
Lock was named players' player of the year at Melbourne Park after two spells with the Clarets last season, but feels the club did not make enough of an effort to keep him.
"I was a free agent and I never expected to be," he said. "I was speaking to Chelmsford but things didn't work out there as I was hoping; not a huge effort was made to keep me.
"As soon as I heard Dover might be interested, I went down there and it was a case of proving myself and I've obviously done that.
"I've had some good games and done well in training as well. I'm very excited and happy that I've earned the right to play in the Conference Premier."
Lock, who has also played for Exeter City, Team Bath and Gloucester City, is delighted to have stepped up, but admits there will always be a part of his heart with the Clarets.
"I absolutely love the club," he said. "I've got so much time for the majority of the people there.
"I wish the supporters all the best and the majority of the boys and I've got good relationships with a lot of people at the club.
"It did end on a bit of a sour note, but these things happen in football. It's a funny old world, that happens and then I get offered something like this.
"It was a great year last year personally, even though collectively it wasn't the way we wanted things to go.
"I will never forget my time there and to finish as players' player of the year last year was a huge privilege."
Lock now turns his attentions to a season in the top flight of non-league football, and he cannot wait to get going.
"I'm over the moon," he added. "It's a fantastic move for me and I'm very happy. I'm very excited about the challenge.
"It's a huge thing for me to do at this stage of my career – you're kind of resigned to the fact that you might end up dropping down but I've worked incredibly hard over the past couple of years both on and off the pitch.
"I've felt strong and I've felt athletic and I've felt like I've been progressing.
"I'm not intimidated by the challenge, I'm incredibly excited by it and looking forward to putting myself up against the likes of Bristol Rovers, Wrexham, Grimsby and Halifax."
