Ballinamallard captain Mark Stafford and midfielder Davy Kee have turned down improved extensions at the club and instead opted to sign pre-contract agreements with Warren Feeney's Linfield.

In a statement, Ballinamallard said they were disappointed but respected the pairs decision.

"Ballinamallard United Football Club can confirm that players Mark Stafford, the club captain, and David Kee have declined offers of improved extensions to their contracts to stay at Ballinamallard beyond the end of the current season and have instead opted to sign pre contract agreements for next season with Linfield FC. We are extremely disappointed at the decision that both players have made, but it is one that we must respect," the statement read.

Ballinamallard manager Whitey Anderson stressed that he was keen for the two players to stay at Ferney Park but thanked them for their efforts and wished them well in the future.

"I have known Mark Stafford for over 20 years, and Davy Kee has been at Ballinamallard for over 6 years. Between them they have made about 500 appearances for the club in the Championship and Premiership. They are two fine young men with great ability and integrity who, when offered chances to leave Ballinamallard as early as the January window of our first season in the Premiership, declined and instead embraced the opportunities that Ballinamallard offered them. They were under no obligation to stay at Ferney Park for three Premiership seasons, and the fact is that they enjoyed playing for Ballinamallard in the Premiership and were always looked after extremely well here. They were popular with the supporters too and I know Mark & Davy have a strong affinity to this club that will never leave them. "They know that I want them to stay, that the Chairman wants them to stay, and I think they recognise the efforts we’ve made to try and keep them. Linfield will have high expectations of them and they face the added pressures of combining their day job with part-time football at a new club a considerable distance away, and the uncertainty of being able to achieve a regular first team place there. "Both lads have shown me considerable respect by keeping me fully informed at all stages with regard to the interest shown in them from Linfield. I want to thank them publicly for their service to our club and to wish them all the best for their future. "I must also compliment Linfield FC and my counterpart Warren Feeney who have dealt with me and Ballinamallard United FC in a professional manner over their interest in Mark & Davy. "We as a club will now look forward with confidence to building a competitive Ballinamallard squad for next season’s Premiership campaign,” said Anderson.