FA CUP hero Andy Gouck admits he is "devastated" at having to leave Accrington Stanley.
The midfielder, who ended the season as the Reds' third leading goalscorer, has not been offered a new deal as the club prepares to go full-time.
Gouck, who fired Stanley into the FA Cup second round with a spectacular winner against Huddersfield Town, made no secret of his desire to stay for at least one more season.
But the former Blackpool captain admitted he is leaving the club on amicable terms.
"There are no hard feelings," the 31-year-old said.
"I really enjoyed my time there but they said they couldn't offer me enough money to leave my job and go full-time with them, even though I didn't want to leave.
"John (Coleman) also said he was worried about my fitness as I'd spent basically the second half of the season either injured or ill.
"I said going full-time would benefit me more in that department, but I don't know if the decision had already been taken out of John and Jimmy (Bell's) hands."
But Gouck, who scored eight goals last season, has wished Stanley well and is confident the club can go from strength to strength in the Conference.
"Even though the season's petered out towards the end we've had a really good year," he said.
"We've had some good games and some good memories of this season."
"I think they will benefit from going full-time because it does make a difference.
"You could see when we played the likes of Morecambe in the Lancashire Trophy final that we looked leg weary in the last 20 minutes, and it was the same against Chester.
"Going full-time will benefit all the lads."
He added: "I've got a lot of good memories from over the years.
"But my goal against Huddersfield was a special one, not just for me but for the club and the fans, and Accrington as a whole because it led to a good cup run.
"But I've no hard feelings about leaving. I had a great time there, all the lads were great and John and Jimmy have been fantastic.
"And I'd like to thank the fans because they took to me and I haven't had a proper chance to say goodbye to them.
"Hopefully I'll be back to visit because I made a lot of friends there."
But Gouck is hoping he hasn't played his last game at the Interlink Express Stadium as he aims to continue playing in the Conference next season.
"Hopefully there will be clubs out there who want me and get in contact as soon as possible," he said.
"It would be nice to stay in the Conference but there probably aren't that many part-time clubs in the area so I'll just have to wait and see.
"I'm open to any options, but it's not the end for me."
Meanwhile, Lutel James and Steve Halford have been added to the list of players who have agreed terms for next season.
Striker James, who ended the season as the Reds second leading goalscorer, had been linked with a move to Scarborough but made it clear he wants to stay, while defender Halford will also go full-time along with Paul Mullin, Peter Cavanagh, Rory Prendergast, Paul Howarth, Robbie Williams, Damien Hindle and Ged Brannan.
Deals for Steve Hollis, Andy Procter and goalkeepers Jon Kennedy and Jamie Speare have yet to be finalised and talks are ongoing with those players, while Jonathan Smith is expected to retain his current contract.
Darran Kempson could be loaned to Stanley from Preston North End for the whole of next season. And manager Coleman last night held talks with a player currently playing in the First Division as he seeks to strengthen his squad for a promotion assault next term.
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