Matt Birley insists it was his own decision to leave King's Lynn- and not manager Carl Heggs who sent him packing from The Walks. The 22-year-old played his last game for Heggs' side in the 2-1 defeat at Buxton on Monday, before the manager said he had been released for 'not producing'.

Matt Birley insists it was his own decision to leave King's Lynn- and not manager Carl Heggs who sent him packing from The Walks.

The 22-year-old played his last game for Heggs' side in the 2-1 defeat at Buxton on Monday, before the manager said he had been released for 'not producing'.

But ex-Birmingham City man Birley claims he had already told Heggs he wanted to depart, as travelling to Norfolk was taking its toll on him.

And he said he was surprised by Heggs' explanation and wanted to set the record straight with Linnets fans.

“I had already spoken to Carl at the weekend to tell him of my desire to leave the club,” Birley said. “It was nothing personal but the 340-mile round trip from Bromsgrove was too much.

“Lynn are a fine club and I was surprised to see Carl said he had released me because I didn't want any animosity about leaving.”

Birley insists he enjoyed his time with the Linnets and believes they can challenge at the top end of the Unibond League Premier Division this season.

“I thought it was all ready to come together,” said Birley, who is now being tracked by a host of Blue Square clubs.

“We weren't far away and they're a great bunch of lads and there's a good team spirit. It's a shame to be honest to be leaving but that's the way it goes sometimes.

“But a few players have gone through the door already and it'll be interesting to see how they get on for the rest of the season.”