Thompson, 25, was voted Forward of the Year at Bracknell’s awards night a couple of weeks ago, yet has since been released by the club.

The British forward has a one-in-two strike-rate for Bees over a 250 game spell with the club and admits he was looking forward to another season at the Hive.

Reflecting on the decision, Thompson, pictured below, said: “I was hoping to stay and there was an offer on the table. I hadn’t rejected it but it was then withdrawn and I was told my services were not required, but I haven’t been given a reason why.

“I have spent most of my senior career here and I’ve loved playing here. I would like to think it’s not performance-based, but I am as stumped as anyone as to what the reasons may be.

“At no point did I reject the offer, I loved being at Bracknell and being around the guys.

“It was tough hockey-wise for various reasons over the past year and we did underachieve. It was frustrating for a lot of the guys, but it was a pleasure to play with them and to be a part of the team.” The popular forward had been at the Hive for three seasons, but the club released a statement that said they had failed to reach agreeable terms with Thompson ahead of the new year.

“Tough decisions have to be made, and not to make them is shirking responsibility,” said Bees general manager Ben Beeching. “This summer is about putting together a squad of players capable of building on last season’s progress and having the right chemistry and mix of skills is crucial to that.” But while Thompson is now turning his attention towards finding a new club, he has not ruled out returning to The Hive in future.

“It’s time now to start a new journey I guess,” he added. “I will have to pick up the phone and start looking around. Maybe one day I will come back if the circumstances are different.”