Gregg Broughton revealed the decision not to renew Bradley Dack’s contract was in the best interests of all parties given the club could offer no guarantees of game-time.

Dack will move on after six years, with the club opting against triggering the one-year option in his contract, or reaching terms on an extension.

The 29-year-old was frustrated by his limited game-time, featuring 33 times in all, but only 13 of those were Championship starts.

He scored seven times, five of which came in a 12-game run after the New Year, but struggled to hold down a regular starting spot.

Broughton said the decision was reached in the wake of the season ending, with Dack making an appearance off the bench on the final day at Millwall in what proved to be his farewell.

While Dack was one of the club’s higher earners, Broughton says the decision was based more on game-time which Rovers couldn’t offer, than it was financial.

“Firstly in terms of the reason, Bradley feels he should have played more football this year and wants to play more next year,” Broughton explained.

“I don’t think we were in a position to be able to make those guarantees to him.

“In terms of how the decision was made, no player is either signed for the club, internally or externally, without the sign-off of the head coach.

“But it’s really important to go on record and say this isn’t just Jon’s decision, he signs it off as the head coach, but we all have an input in that.

“With Bradley he understands that if we couldn’t give him the guarantees that he wanted to play next year it’s right for all parties now for him to be allowed to do that.

“It’s important to put on record he’s been a fantastic player for the club for the last six years, correctly a crowd favourite because of his amazing ability, his amazing character and the way he’s able to engage with people and we put our thanks to him on record and wish him the very best.

“I really look forward to seeing the next chapter in his career as well.”

Dack had a one-year option in the contract he signed in late 2020, which could have seen him extend his stay until next summer were it to be triggered. However, that would have been on the same terms as his current contract.

On whether talks over a new deal took place, Rovers’ director of football said: “Everything was discussed, everything was on the table, and this was a late decision.

“We didn’t make this decision in February and decide not to announce it.

“We wanted to get through Millwall and re-assess when we knew whether we were in the play-offs and had a chance of being promoted or not and then make the decision on the back of those things.

“It was an ongoing conversation on whether that would  be a contract renewal, the option being taken up or neither of those two things.

“For all parties we felt it would be best to do the latter of those.”

The announcement of Dack’s departure made for an emotional farewell for a player who scored 57 times in 173 appearances, and was the last remaining member of the League One promotion-winning team of 2017/18.

While his departure will free up wages, Broughton says those would have been available to re-sign Dack had the club seen him be a big part of their plans moving forward.

He said: “Bradley was one of the better paid players here at the football club but ultimately it’s not about that.

“If we felt we could give him the game-time that he wanted the finances wouldn’t have played a part in that.”

Dack will now begin his search for a new club where he will look to get back to playing regularly, and finding the back of the net.

“If Bradley now goes on to have success, because a club feel they can give him the playing time, then ultimately that’s the right decision for all parties,” Broughton said.

“Sometimes you have to put the players’ welfare at the forefront of these decisions and to keep Bradley here and have him frustrated, as I know he has been this year, I didn’t believe was the right thing to do."