The midfielder was signed by Chris Hardy ahead of the 2020/21 season, and he became a regular in the side both under Hardy, and also under the management duo of Nathan Haslam and Lee Bullock after they took over the reigns in October.

However, he will not be at the club next season after the player and his agent, as well as the club, agreed to end his time at the Towbar Express Stadium at the Turnbull Ground.

Heaney made eight competitive appearances (three as a substitute) last term, and scored his only goal for the club in the 4-0 pre-season win over Guisborough Town last August.

Whitby Town Joint-Manager, Haslam explained the departure to whitbytownfc.com: "Mackenzie came to us last pre-season and I told him that if he wanted to play at a higher level, then we would honour that.

He added: "It's been unfortunate that he hasn't been able to play for us as much as we would have liked due to the pandemic, but after Mackenzie did put a request in to move on we accepted that.

"We have no issue with it and we understand that he's looking to progress his football, potentially abroad where is looking to go on trial over the summer. We've stuck to our agreement and released him from his contract."

Everyone at Whitby Town would like to thank Mackenzie for his efforts and we wish him all the best in the future.