If an opening match defeat and resultant bottom-of-the-table slot was not enough to constitute a bad week at the office, then the subsequent press release from midfield ace James Buck will surely have set the Supremo reeling like Gerrard Houllier's eyes after a Steven Gerrard-style two-footed tackle on one of his own players.

A carefully prepared statement announced Buck's imminent departure to ply his trade on the continent after just one full season in the tasteful yellow and green Logica jersey. A secondary shock was that the midfielder had not been snapped up to show-case his talents in the Spanish Primera Liga, or Italy's Serie A. Instead it was Stockholm that had reversed recent political trends by responding with an emphatic 'YES' vote when offered the chance of a quick Buck. "I was offered a role in Sweden," explained the tenacious tackler, "and as it was something I have been after for a while, I accepted. It really is a fantastic opportunity, and I am obviously tremendously excited and really looking forward to the new challenges that the role and living in another country will bring."

The timing of Buck's bomb-shell left the club's board with little time to try and tempt him to stay, perhaps with the lucrative offer of a reduced kit-washing clause in his contract, or even a free copy of the best-selling book, 'The Teresa May Guide to Foot Fashion'. The player departs these shores in less than a week's time on a one-season contract, and that potentially poses a serious central midfield resourcing problem for Groom, with Dav Gautam currently out with a serious knee injury, and Buck's predecessor-cum-possible-replacement, Matt Denyer, also signing up for more continental experience within weeks of the completion of his Bundesliga contract.

However, there was some good news for the beleaguered Gaffer, when the England international announced that he had agreed to work out a one month notice period in his Logica FC playing contract. "The good news (or bad news!)," explained Buck modestly, "is that I will be flying back the first few weekends until mid-October, so I can still play at the start [of the season], if selected...!" There was further consolation for his team-mates when he added, "I will also be back the odd weekend [thereafter], so I will let you know when I am around."

This gives Groom a breathing space to consider his options for building a new central midfield cornerstone to follow in the boot-steps of last year’s hugely successful Gautam-Buck pairing. Whatever the solution the wise one comes up with, it will likely represent a change in style. Whilst Craig Taylor put in an early bid with a brilliantly energetic display there in the season’s opener, frustrated wide-men such as Reevaldo, Stevey Lambert, Jon Clarke and the currently injured Dickie McWilliam are all rumoured to fancy a stint in the engine room. More radical football-thinkers have suggested a move forward for one of the defensive linch-pins, Manlio Trovato or Jeff Hatton, to replace the kind of snappy bite that Buck delivered.

This only serves to emphasise just how much the England international will be missed, both on and off the field. His tenacious tackling, non-stop running, skilful dribbling and occasional goal quickly established him as a key player both domestically and internationally, and his talents were quickly recognised by his colleagues. So much so, in fact, that the young Buck was runner-up in the Player's Player of the Season vote at the end of his first year with the club, and also claimed second spot in the Top Pup poll after an impressive World Cup debut in Rome which demonstrated he comfortably had what was needed at international level.

And whilst the timing of Buck's announcement - the day after a disappointing opening day defeat - might have raised accusations of a Jermaine Defoe-style bid to leave a sinking ship, there was never any doubt about the midfielder's commitment to the Logica cause. Buck has quickly established himself as a popular and likeable member of the squad, for whom nothing is too much trouble, whether it be some arduous tracking back chores to save the legs of an elderly Lag, or the self-effacing donning of comedy footwear purely for his team-mates entertainment.

And it is clear from the player's sincere sadness at leaving "certain things behind in London - not least the football", that the feeling is mutual. "It has been an absolute pleasure to join the team and play all last season. It was made very easy for me to fit in as you are all not only a very friendly bunch of lads, but also good footballers who make it easy for someone new to play in the side".

And it was equally apparent that Buck did not believe he was leaving a sinking ship. "Over the last season, and culminating in Rome, I thought we grew into a strong outfit and I was keen to get this season started, and demonstrate what a good side we are. Although we had a disappointment on the weekend, I still believe the team is good enough for promotion."

One hopes this prediction proves accurate, and that Buck’s stated intention to return to the fold will be in that holy grail of a higher division. "I will try and join a team out there [in Sweden] and hopefully keep my fitness up so I am ready to join you again for the following season ... if you still want me!" One suspects that we just might.