Better news for the Bulldogs is that utility man Ash Lindsay has signed to stay at Mount Pleasant for a further year after changing his mind about taking time off from rugby for a spell. This is a good lift as he was one of the most consistent performers during the season.
King, the club's leading scorer this time with 164 points from 11 tries and 60 goals, has problems with work commitments. He is a heating engineer and it can cause difficulty if he is out injured and unable to work.
Apparently the big centre had a shoulder problem when he was at Rochdale Hornets last season and the firm indicated they were not happy at the prospect of rugby injuries causing him to miss work.
It is a problem faced increasingly by many players over the years as the demands of training and playing continue to grow.
King's departure is a setback because he was good for his winger and he and Danny Maun had worked well together. The former's ability to land important touchline goals was also a great asset.
Batley coach Gary Thornton remarked: "Just when we thought we had a good centre pairing, we have lost one of them. We were looking for another winger but now we need a wing and centre."
Three other threequarters have left the club. The Bulldogs have released Jamie Stokes and Bolu Fagborun, while Ollie Marns has told Batley he intends playing rugby union for the next two years but has decided to bow out of rugby league. It leaves the Bulldogs seeking more cover for the backs.
Thornton said: "Bolu struggled with a knee problem during the season and I think it affected his form. He wasn't as sharp as he might have been in some matches.
"I have worked with Jamie Stokes for more than four years and he has been very good for Batley both as a player and as a person. When he and Ollie Marns were dropped into the reserves they gave everything for the team when it would have been easy for them to hold back. They set a great example for the younger lads and I can't speak too highly of them."
The battle to retain scrum-half Paul Mennell remains on-going as he weighs up Batley's package offer, which entails work in the community and schools but his form this time has sharpened the interest of other clubs.
Thornton is one of a number of people approached by Featherstone Rovers regarding their coaching vacancy. He has spoken to Rovers but so far there has been no follow-up by them.
There will be interest among Batley fans at the fact French side Toulouse Olympique have been admitted to National League One next season.
The Rugby League have indicated English clubs will have some allowance towards the cost of travelling across the Channel and another important point is that the French club are guaranteed they will not be relegated over the next three seasons.