Soon to be departing Walsall goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell has spoken to the local press to insist that his decision to leave is not based on money and that he has turned down Championship clubs in the hope of gaining first-team football closer to home.
Speaking to the Walsall Advertiser, Richard said; "It was a really difficult decision to make but inevitably my family comes first and I think this is the best way to go forward for me and my family.
"I think anyone who knows me knows it's not about money. I was commuting four hours a day and it wasn't healthy for me and it wasn't healthy for my family. I've turned down good money already to go and sit on the bench in the Championship. That's not something I want to do.
"There's been a fair bit of interest and I'm trying to work out what is not just best for my family but also for my career. Don't get me wrong, I'm ambitious and I want to go and play in the Championship but if there's a choice between playing and not playing that would make a big difference.
"I don't want to just sit and take my money somewhere. I want to go and play and enjoy my football like I have done for the past two years.
"I'd find it difficult going somewhere to sit on the bench after playing every game for the last two years. To be honest, the last two games of the season when I wasn't playing, I found it really difficult not playing, just in those two games.
"It wasn't about waiting for Walsall to make a better offer. It was purely about making the decision that was right for me and my family. I took my time because it was a really difficult decision – the club's been brilliant and I've enjoyed every single second that I've been here."