Leopards will be without shooting guard Sam Salter when the new EBL season starts in September. The 6' 1" shooting guard has accepted an offer to join Division One rivals Reading Rockets.

Ironically the moment most Leopards fans will remember Salter for came against Reading in the 2005/6 National Cup final at the NIA, Birmingham, when he sunk four free throws to help the Big Cats lift their first major trophy since their reformation the previous season.

"It was a very difficult decision to make" admitted the 30-year-old. "Phoning coach Burnell and telling him was extremely hard. I've really enjoyed my time with Leopards, and I'll miss a lot of people at the club."

"We're really sad to see Sam lave, but he goes with out best wishes" said general manager Dave Ryan.

"There's players like Jerrid Campbell who you're glad to see the back of, but hen there's people like Sam who make it worthwhile. He's one of the most professional players you are likely to meet at this level. He didn't have the greatest of seasons last year, but he was always at practice, always one of the first players at games, and always gave 100 percent.

"We signed Sam because we were fed up with him almost single handedly beating us when he played for Kingston, maybe Reading have done the same."

As well as scoring the winning points against Reading in the National Cup final, Salter drained a late three pointer to win the game for Leopards when they met Rockets in the National Trophy group stage last season, the only defeat Dave Titmuss' team suffered as they won the competition.

Leopards are expected to announce at least one signing next week.