Last updated at 11:53, Saturday, 01 September 2012

Being dumped from the Workington Reds side that lost 2-0 to unbeaten league leaders Guiseley was the last straw for Mark Sloan, who quit the club hours later for a new life in Belgium.

Mark Sloan: ’I got an offer that was too good to turn down’

The 19-year-old midfielder insisted he didn’t deserve to be dropped for Monday’s clash, and said Darren Edmondson’s decision to omit him made his mind up about leaving Borough Park.

Sloan impressed during pre-season, and was given his chance to shine in the season’s opening fixtures.

But despite featuring heavily early on, Edmondson blamed injury for leaving Sloan out. The youngster, of Crosby, near Maryport, left the country on Wednesday to join Wolfsdonk Sport, who play in the 2B Brabant league, division two of tier eight in Belgium football. He signed a 12-month deal with the team that is based between Brussels and Antwerp, with the option to extend his stint. “I got an offer that was too good to turn down,” he said.

“A decision had to be made quickly because of the signing deadline.

“I weighed up all my options but couldn’t say no, despite how well I was doing with Workington. Being left out of the squad for Guiseley made my mind up.

“Everything became clear to me because I didn’t deserve to be dropped. I didn’t agree with the decision to leave me out and to have the Wolfsdonk offer waiting made it a no- brainer.

“I want to play full-time football, and moving to Belgium makes that possible.

“It goes without saying that I thank Darren and Tony Elliott for their efforts, and wish Workington the very best of luck for the season.”

Reserve goalkeeper Shaun Routledge has also moved to Wolfsdonk Sport.

First published at 08:54, Saturday, 01 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk