SHAKERS chairman Terry Robinson has spoken of his disappointment at losing long-term injury victim Dean West on a free-transfer to Burnley under the Bosman ruling.

"It's a crazy situation but in many ways it would have been better for the club if Dean had been injured longer than the 18 months he was," explained Mr Robinson.

After a series of pelvic operations West got back to fitness at the end of the season and attracted the attention of his former boss Stan Ternent at Turf Moor and though he was offered new terms 100 per cent better than his existing contract he still chose to go.

"We paid his wages while he was injured, made him a good offer then lost him. I wonder if anyone would have wanted him if he was still injured or hadn't proved himself," added Mr Robinson

"We would because we had faith in him but in retrospect it was a little misplaced."

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