ONE-CLUB man Jonny Arr insists he will “hold no grudges” despite being denied the chance to see out his career at Worcester Warriors.

Having been associated with the club for more than two decades, the Worcester-born 30-year-old had hoped to extend his stay at Sixways.

But the scrum-half admitted a contract “did not materialise” and he realised there was no longer a place for him in the squad with Kiwi number nine Jono Kitto set to arrive in the summer.

Arr, who has made 217 appearances for Warriors, announced his departure yesterday but stressed he would leave with no ill-feelings over his exit.

Asked whether he had been offered a new deal, Arr said: “It did not materialise in the end.

“There were some discussions but it became clear the way they were recruiting that there perhaps wasn’t a spot for me in the way that it had been in previous years.

“It was my time to go.

“It is tough to take as it would have been great to have played out my career at the club but I know that I would have to be extremely fortunate for that to happen.

“It is the way it goes.

“I hold no grudges and will look forward rather than back on any negative points and will continue to go onwards and upwards now.”

Since revealing his exit with a post on social media prior to the club’s announcement Arr said he had been overwhelmed with messages.

“I have got a whole host of messages on my phone,” Arr said.

“But obviously it is nice to have so many well-wishes and good words.

“They have been really nice to go through.

“It definitely hit home and there have been a whole host of emotions.

“Some of the messages have brought back some fond memories.

“It was an emotional day and it will continue to be like that for a while.”

Arr has been part of the club for the past 23 years, starting out in the mini and junior section before rising through the ranks to make his competitive debut in 2007.

Since then Arr has helped Warriors twice gain promotion to the Premiership and only Craig Gillies (288), Chris Pennell (224) and Tony Windo (222) have represented the club on more occasions.

“I certainly didn’t expect to be here for so long,” Arr said.

“When I was a young lad playing in that mini and junior age group I loved every minute of it as I was playing with a group of mates that I grew up with.

“I always knew that I would see that right the way through until I was 17 or 18.

“But I never dreamed that I would go on to forge such a long career out of it.

“In all honesty after signing that first academy contract I saw it as a gap year before going on to university which gives you an idea of how far I have come.”

As recognition for his services Arr was granted a benefit year by the club and marked his testimonial day with a try in Warriors’ victory over Gloucester in February 2018.

“That whole year was huge for me,” Arr said.

“It was great to be awarded the testimonial year to begin with and it was fab to be able to be a part of some great events along the way.

“That testimonial day will live long in the memory having not played a lot of rugby up until that point and then being thrown in there.

“It was great to be a part of a winning side on such a special day.

“The other day that will stand out is capping that year in Worcester Cathedral which was pretty special.”

Heading into his 12th season for Warriors, Arr had high hopes of establishing himself in Alan Solomons’ plans.

But the former Royal Grammar School Worcester pupil has been on the fringes this term, making 13 outings.

“I have been injury-free all season,” Arr said.

“I have had the last couple of seasons where I have been plagued with a few injuries which has been frustrating.

“But I feel like I have put that behind me now. I had a very good pre-season and was really confident moving forward into this season.

“But for whatever reason it has not really materialised the way I wanted it to.

“I am going to have to look forward to other things now.”

Warriors director of rugby Solomons paid tribute to the departing Arr who made his most recent first-team start in the Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final against Saracens.

“Jonny has been a tremendous servant of the club,” Solomons said.

“He is a good bloke and a great team man who has made an invaluable contribution to Warriors over many years.

“We wish him all the very best for the future.”