Carver turns down offer of new deal
SHELDAN KEAY
MARCUS Carver admits he needed to leave Accrington Stanley for the sake of his career after rejecting the contract offer from the club.
The 22-year-old came through the youth academy at Stanley, but has rarely featured in the first team.
With that in mind, he feels he has made the correct decision by deciding to end his time at the Wham Stadium.
“It was a hard decision but, at my age, I need regular first team football,” he told the club’s official website.
“I saw the manager and was totally honest with him and it was all respectful and we finished on good terms.
“It does hurt as I have been at Accrington a long time but I have got to do what is the best for me. I have got to move my career forward and I don’t want to be a bench player.
“I have had a great experience at Accrington. I have been there since U15 level and have learned a lot from all the managers I have played under.
“I was just coming through the youth team when John Coleman was first in charge and then Paul Cook gave me my chance to play in the first team.
“I was involved under Leam Richardson and then made around 26 appearances the season under James Beattie and when John Coleman came back to Accrington.
“I can’t complain about limited chances last season as Billy Kee has been in the form of his life and I have played with some great players and learned a lot from each of them.
“Looking at my highlights, the special moments were scoring at Middlesbrough in the League Cup and scoring the winner against Notts County in the FA Cup.”
One thing in particular that Carver will miss about Accrington is the supporters, as he admits they have made his stay at the Reds very enjoyable.
“The fans have been brilliant with me, as has everyone at the club. I am gutted but I need to crack on now in my career,” he said.
“The gaffer said that as I have been such a good servant to the club, they will waive a fee so I can now progress my career elsewhere which I am grateful for. I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way.
“I don’t think I have shown what I can do so I want to go away, build up my confidence, show everyone my talents and who knows? One day I may come back as it is my hometown club.”
Carver is now understood to be in talks with several non-league clubs.