Emotional Darryl McHardy speaks about learning his time was up at Elgin City on a Zoom call with new manager Ross Draper and his hopes for a Borough Briggs testimonial to say goodbye to the Black and Whites' faithful
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"I think it’s the first time I’ve cried in a football situation." - how Darryl McHardy described taking the news of his surprise Elgin City exit.
The 28-year-old defender was told over a Zoom call with new manager Ross Draper that he wouldn't be receiving a new contract at Borough Briggs.
After more than ten years at his home town club, over 300 appearances and 49 goals from defence, McHardy was devastated to learn that his time was up with the club he loves.
Read more: Darryl McHardy prepares for his Elgin City testimonial - a look back over his career.
"It's not really sunk in yet," he said. "I've been feeling really bad since I got the news, but I know I just have to get on with it.
"It's been a fair shock to the system. I go away on my stag do this Friday and it's put a real downer on it all.
"I found out on a Zoom call with the manager. I thought it would be contract talk. I had spoken to another club but I told him I wanted to give it at least one more shot under a new manager at Elgin to try and get promoted.
"He told me he wouldn't be offering me a new deal and I just said 'oh'. It was a fair shock and an awkward chat after that.
"Playing for Elgin City and pulling on that shirt meant everything to me.
"I think it’s the first time I’ve cried in a football situation. I shed a tear on Friday and I was pretty down all weekend but I realise I have to move on.
"My phone has been going absolutely stupid and I don’t know what to do. My head has been in a pickle."
McHardy said he has been inundated with messages of support from City team-mates, fans and his former manager Gavin Price since announcing his exit from the club on Facebook.
He said he hopes new City boss Draper hasn't made an error of judgement in letting him go, but said he would prefer to break his ties with the club than to stay on but not be part of Draper's plans.
McHardy is in his testimonial year with Elgin and is eager to receive a benefit game from the club so that he can say a final farewell.
"All I want is to be able to say a goodbye to the fans because they have always been great to me. It would be pretty bad if I didn’t get the chance to say that properly.
"That’s the biggest thing for me, absolutely. I got on well with most of the fans, they have been magic with me all through my career at Elgin.
"Personally I think I will be a big loss to the club. I hope he has done the right thing.
"It's not just the footballing side of things. Some of the boys have been saying it will be a loss not having me in the changing room."
McHardy says he has already taken calls from many of the leading Highland League clubs, all eager to secure his services.
The defender would prefer to stay in the SPFL but with him getting married this summer he plans to take his time before deciding on his next move.
"I’m the fittest I’ve ever been just now. I’ve had a personal trainer since January and I’ve been doing all my pre-pre season so I am as fit as I’ve ever been and I don’t need to rush into a pre-season with someone."
McHardy made his debut for City as a 17-year-old in December, 2012 at Annan, and described some of the highs of representing his home club in League 2 football and wearing the captain's armband.
"There's been some real high points. Getting as far in the cups as we have done and scoring so many times for the team, I've enjoyed that.
"I scored two hat-tricks, playing for my home club and captaining them on numerous occasions. Being one of the youngest captains in the club’s history, I’m sure I was when Jim Weir made me captain at 21.
"When you play for you home club especially at such a high level and high professionalism, and for how long I played for Elgin and for how many games - not many people can say they did that in League 2."
McHardy plans to go down and cheer his home club whenever he isn't playing and would love to return as a City player in the future.
"I will be going down and watching Elgin’s pre-season games and I would never rule out a return to the club."
