STUART Howson has admitted he is disappointed it didn't work out for him at Accrington Stanley - but he's now focused on helping Droylsden win promotion.

The 23-year-old was John Coleman's first new summer signing but was released from the Reds last week and has signed permanently with the Conference North side.

The former Blackburn Rovers and Chesterfield defender started five games for the Reds - against York, Woking, Dagenham, Leigh and Northwich.

"I am disappointed things didn't work out but football is about opinions and I have no problem with that," said Howson, who had been on loan with the Bloods for the last month.

"I signed a one-year contract at Accrington and would have liked to see it out especially as I was never on the losing side when I played for Accrington.

"I guess I knew pre-season I wasn't really fancied as I didn't start the first few games but when I got my chance and got a run in the team and wasn't on the losing side, I thought I had done okay.

"I wasn't playing in the centre of defence where I usually do but on the left but I was just happy to play.

"That's why I was disappointed as I was dropped for the next game against Gravesend - and I didn't really get a reason. I was hoping for a run in the team but tit didn't happen so I was quite happy to go to Droylsden."

He spent a month on loan there before returning to Accrington last week. "I was recalled from Droylsden and I thought I might be coming back to play but the manager said no so then I knew I didn't have a future here but he is in charge at the end of the day and I respect that."

The 23-year-old, though, admits it another blow to him as, from being a trainee at Ewood Park he was released and then moved onto Chesterfield where he was highly-rated before he broke his ankle.

"That set me back and then a week after I'd broke my ankle we got a new manager and I only played about 10 games last season. I still think if I hadn't broken my ankle that I would be playing league football today.

"When I was at Blackburn I knew I wasn't good enough and I was never going to get into the first team but I knew I could play in the lower leagues. Then I dropped down to Chesterfield and then Accrington and, with not playing regularly for them, it does dent your confidence.

"It is weird as suddenly in a week, I have gone from being a full-time footballer to part-time one looking for a job so it's a bit of a culture shock. It has all happened so quickly.

"But I am taking a course to be a physical trainer so hopefully I will get something soon."

But he knows Dave Pace's side are ambitious - they have former Red Jody Banim up front and have landed Stanley striker Lutel James on loan.

"They are like Accrington are - an ambitious club who want to go places and they want to get into the National Conference although it is a tight league. We are about eighth at the moment and need to go on a run.

"The biggest difference from the National Conference to the Conference North is that the games are so open.

"There are lots of goals and hardly any midfield so it makes for entertaining football. It's all a bit gung ho. Lutel should get plenty of goals here."

But he is not severing all ties with the Reds as he knows Steve Flitcroft, from his Blackburn days, and is friends now with Steve Halford and Steve Jagielka among others. "I hope to come and watch a few games. They are a great set of lads and there is no bitterness. I wish them all the best and I have got to get with finding a job."

Manager John Coleman said: "Stuart is a cracking lad, probably one of the best pro's I have dealt with. He was honest with me and wanted to play centre half.

"I couldn't guarantee that so he said he wanted to play elsewhere. There is no animosity."