Croft's red-card regret

Photo: Alan Howarth

OFF . . . Lee Croft (partially hidden) receives his marching orders from referee John Brooks.

OUTGOING winger Lee Croft says he expected his departure from Athletic, after struggling to establish himself under John Sheridan.

The 31-year-old, who ended up making 121 appearances for the club across four seasons in three different spells, is on the hunt for a new club after not being offered terms for next season.

Croft admits that his red card at Walsall - described at the time by Sheridan as "stupid" - proved costly.

But there is no bitterness from the likeable former Derby and Norwich man, who was delighted with the way his team-mates dug themselves out of relegation trouble.

"After 'Shez' returned to the club, I got back fit after injury, waited for my chance and then was given a start at Walsall," said Croft, who only played five times under Sheridan in 2016-17, with three of those appearances as a substitute.

"That was my opportunity to establish myself back in the team.

"Obviously, I was sent off and that ultimately killed it for me. You come out of it and miss three games and the gaffer is angry as I let the team down.

"And then I didn't play much after that.

"The lads were doing brilliantly when I was out and so you can't really argue and say, 'why am I not playing?'

"It was a great effort. I would have liked to be involved more towards the back end of the season, but the lads did superbly to get out of trouble.

"Obviously, I am sad to leave the club. I had some good times here again and enjoyed it.

"But the fact that I was hardly playing at all towards the end of the season meant I was kind of expecting it, as I wasn't featuring much.

"I thought that I would be moving on to pastures new for next year."

Croft believes that had Sheridan not left for Notts County, Athletic could have enjoyed very different fortunes this term.

"Towards the back end of last season, I think if the gaffer had stayed then we would have had a good year this year," he added.

"Things changed, but if the gaffer is here next season, which I am sure he will be, then the lads will have a really strong season.

"They will look to kick on and take the form that we have had in the short spells when he's been here into the longer season, aiming for the top end of the table."

As for his next move, Croft is heading away holiday and will assess his options later in the summer.

"The plan is to go away, have a nice break and then look to next year," he said. "I want to start a new challenge at a new club and just get back to playing football.

"I will see what is out there and weigh up what is best, whether I want to move away again. My partner has moved down here now, so it is doing what is best for everyone, really."