BILLY O'Callaghan claims he quit Accrington Stanley because he felt surplus to requirements at the Crown Ground club.

The hot-shot striker was sold to North Western Trains League outfit Prescot Cables in a deal believed to be worth £6,000 earlier this week.

But he claims he didn't want to leave but felt he had to in order to revive his career.

"I wanted to stay at Accrington but things turned a bit sour," said O'Callaghan.

"I'm not slagging off John Coleman but when he first came he played a different system to the one I like.

"We suddenly started playing with wingers and I prefer it down the channels where I can do my own thing.

"I felt they weren't playing to my strengths and I got a bit upset about it.

"I wasn't forced out but I felt like I wasn't needed anymore."

O'Callaghan missed a chuge chunk of pre-season training due to personal problems.

Then once the season started, he became ill through a skin infection and, after failing to turn up for a weekend fixture, he was fined by the club for missing training.

"I started off pre-season but then I fell out with my girlfriend and it hit me really badly.

"Then I became ill and I ended up missing a game I was so bad.

"But on the following Monday I got a letter off Accrington saying they were going to fine me a week's wages for missing training.

"I brought a two week doctor's note in but they still fined me.

"My heart wasn't in it after that.

"It just finished me off and I had to get away because I wanted my football back."

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