This is a difficult time of the season in any year, but September 2003 seems to have been rather more difficult than most.

It's the time of the year when contracts are discussed and finalised for 2004, which inevitably means that some players will no longer be with us.

Iain Brunnschweiler and Alex Morris have both been released, whilst John Francis has decided to reject a two year contract offer to move to Somerset.

All three will be missed but the biggest loss to the club is Robin Smith, who has opted to retire after 23 years on the staff.

Robin has been an inspiration

'The Judge' has a phenomenal record for Hampshire to go along with one of the best international records in the modern era. More than statistics though, he is probably the most recognisable batsman of his generation, inspiring a huge number of youngsters to take up the game in an effort to emulate his courage and panache at the crease.

I was one of those youngsters, and though I managed to fulfil an ambition by batting with Robin, I have never been able to execute a cut shot with half his power (most of mine dribble and are lucky to make it off the square) or dodge a bouncer at the last second with a lightning movement (I tend to leave it too late and get hit!).

Even now, at the end of his career, he is hugely admired - just look at the number of current players who list him as a favourite player in the Cricketer's Who's Who. It is not difficult to understand why.

His style of batting appealed so widely simply because he appeared combative, as if every innings is not just another bat but an occasion to be cherished in itself. He seemed bullish and brave but played shots all round the wicket with touch, timing and often with extreme power. People have always paid just to watch him bat, and he would rarely disappoint - certainly not on a big match day when the adrenaline pumped and the feet never stopped dancing about.

He has always been great fun to bat with, balancing a light hearted chat in between overs with encouragement whilst at the non- striker's end and oozing determination whenever he got on strike.

When one is young, one has a very clear picture of what one thinks one's heroes are like. Too often that image is shattered when one meets them, but I can honestly say that never was the case with Judge. He is simply a great guy; sociable, polite, generous, gracious and very funny - without any hint of the arrogance that tarnishes many top sports people. He has always been that way, and no doubt will always be so - a credit to his parents, John and Joy, who are as much a part of the furniture as their son.

Many a person will meet him in his new role as the Club's 'Ambassador' and none of them will come away disappointed.

Farewell to 'Almo' and 'Brunchy'

But time must roll on, and unfortunately time has also run out at Hampshire for Alex Morris and Iain Brunnschweiler too.

Both are fine cricketers, who hope to find another county and deserve to do so. 'Almo' has been frustrated by injuries that have deprived him of the best part of the last two seasons and which have prevented him from bowling with the skill and verve he showed in 2000 and 2001. He is a fantastic character and a lovely bloke who will be hugely missed in the dressing room.

The same goes for 'Brunchy', who forfeited the opportunity of going to university to come on the staff and has never let anyone down through his dedication to hard work and the club.

As a keeper, he has the best pair of hands around, and has always patiently worked away in the 2nd XI waiting for his chance. Unfortunately, he has never enjoyed a sustained run, but such is the lot of the reserve wicket keeper on the staff - there is only one place to play for and keepers are usually the fittest guys around.

Brunchy's finest moment was in hitting the winning boundary in our historic victory over Australia in 2001 and will long treasure the memory, as we all will.

He has quite a future ahead of him whatever he decides to do, having already established a wealth of experience and contacts in journalism as a writer and television presenter.

Whatever happens with his cricket, you can be sure that he will be pushing Des Lynam for his post before long!

Sorry to lose John Francis

The other player to be leaving the Rose Bowl is John Francis, who seems likely to be heading to Somerset to join his brother, Simon.

It's very sad for the county to lose such a fine prospect who has been coached and developed by the county staff for years. But, John clearly feels that Taunton is the right environment in which to achieve his England ambitions and good luck to him.

Sport in the modern day has little time for loyalty and sentimentality whether rightly or wrongly, and if a young batsman is offered the chance to play on the best wicket in the country, it is difficult to blame him for taking it. I must say that I've thoroughly enjoyed playing with John and hope that the move pays off for him.

Important day at Derby

To some, loyalty is perhaps an unfashionable virtue nowadays, but it is one of Judge's greatest attributes, one reason why he is a Hampshire man through and through and why he will be missed as a player.

We have a big match on Sunday at Derby that we must win to be sure of securing our promotion to the First Division of the National League, and one can guarantee that the Judge would have loved to have been playing under this pressure. Without his reassuring presence, it's time some of the rest of us took a leaf from his book and performed on this big occasion.