PERSPECTIVE was received for Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman in the wake of seeing two of his players take the first steps on the exit route from the Wham Stadium.

As much as the Reds manager was disappointed that Matt Crooks and Josh Windass have decided to move on at the end of the season, it was nothing compared to how he felt after hearing about the death of a friend.

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“To be honest I got two bits of news yesterday (Wednesday),” said Coleman. “Obviously I found out that two players were leaving at the end of the season, which I knew anyway because they didn’t sign new contracts, and I also found out that a former teammate and a friend of mine, John Carroll, a real footballing character, died in his sleep.

“I know what piece of news upset me the most, and it was definitely the latter. That puts everything into perspective.

“What’s happened at our club was a foregone conclusion and the news about John Carroll really upset me.

“When I turn back to football I have to be realistic. The situation Accrington are in is that we can’t compete with the big clubs, certainly money wise. And the players have got a chance to play for a massive club.

“Okay, they’re a massive club in name. And possibly in a few years’ time they’ll get back to where they were before all their troubles started.

“But the chance to play in a big stadium in front of big crowds with great facilities, I don’t blame them.”

But Coleman is irked by the way the players have handled the situation.

“What’s happened over the last couple of days, it’s not surprised me, it’s not really upset me. I just wish there’d have been a bit more communication from the players to myself because I think I treat them right and I think they should repay that with a bit of dialogue,” he said.

“They’ve got every right to sign for Rangers, and good luck to them. I wish them all the best for next season. But a phone call would have been nice.

“I don’t get embroiled in social media, but my kids do and you’re made aware of what’s getting said on Twitter because it is a public domain. And when they’re putting comments like ‘Buzzing, I’m signing for a massive club’ and ‘Can’t wait’, I think that’s disrespectful. Our fans have backed them through rough times, and none more so than Matt Crooks.

“From being public enemy number one to being lauded at our club, more decorum should have been in place.”