FORMER Kendal Town skipper Danny Coid has left the club and admits to being disappointed with the way his stay at Parkside Road ended during the close season.

The 32-year-old played a principal role for the Mintcakes during the previous campaign, making 39 appearances and scoring seven goals while also wearing the captain’s armband until January.

He has now followed in the footsteps of another ex-Kendal favourite, Danny Mitchley, and will ply his trade in the Evo-Stik Premier Division next term with Skelmersdale United.

After a professional career spanning the best part of 14 years, Coid returned to the game last year with Kendal following a two-year absence and believes his contributions warranted more.

“The club offered me a significant pay deduction and it was something I could not sign,” he said.

“I totally understand what Fozzie (Dave Foster) is trying to do and steady the ship in terms of the money but I didn’t ask for any more money, I asked for the same.

“I told the club at the end of last season I wanted to stay and I tried to come to some sort of agreement but was given a take it or leave it offer. 

“I felt I deserved more based on how I played last year, especially after being out of football – I was only going to get better.

“But in the end Fozzie wasn’t prepared to pay individuals more than he was paying others and, for me, in terms of driving up from Liverpool I would have been playing for free really.

“I just feel every club should try and keep their better players and I thought I was one of them.”

A new chapter begins for Coid at Skelmerdale and despite now focussing on his own future, he hopes his old club can progress during the forthcoming season.

“It is a shame how it ended as I wanted to stay so much – I just couldn’t pay for the money offered,” he added.

“It’s a good club and I’ll miss it there. I got on with people at the club and the fans are wonderful, they allow you to go out and play under no pressure.

“The whole matter was disappointing but it has opened up another door for me at Skelmersdale and I’m looking forward to playing there.”

Kendal Town manager Dave Foster insists there was willingness on both sides to find a solution but a deal could not be forged based on the more distributive financial plan he wishes to implement.

“It all came down to the amount of money I wanted to pay and which worked within the structure I have this year,” said Foster.

“We tried and were close but never in a position where I could pay the amount he wanted with him travelling, which is understandable.

“I suppose it boils down to the direction I’m taking things where I want a decent squad as opposed to a couple of lads on the bigger money.

“It was another tough conversation but from his point of view he has the chance to move up and play at a higher level.

“Similar to Danny Mitchley, Coidy wanted to stay but we couldn’t quite make the finances work.”

Meanwhile, Kendal Town start their pre-season programme this weekend with a match against AFC Fylde at Parkside Road, kick-off 3pm.

The club’s season tickets and admission prices have been frozen for the fourth successive year. Adult season tickets are priced at £125 with OAPs/concessions £65.