ACCRINGTON Stanley chairman Eric Whalley said the Ian Craney deal was good for the club.

The Reds sold the 26-year-old to Huddersfield Town on Monday in a deal which is believed could rise to more than £200,000.

"It is a lot of money to us and he was also one of our top paid players so it made sense economically," said the chairman.

"I know some people won’t be happy but I felt it was too good to turn down.

"Don’t forget, Morecambe made a bid for him and I didn’t even tell Ian because it wasn’t enough.

"Stan (Ternent) and Huddersfield have come in for him and offered him and us a good deal.

"If anyone gets offered a job with a lot more money you would expect them to take it.

"There is no point keeping an unhappy player at the club and Ian would have heard about the bid and has now got a three-year deal at Huddersfield which is good for him.

"We benefit financially and Ian benefits."

He does not envisage investing too much of the money in the new stand - which the club have to build by next May - as the Football Foundation Trust are involved and the club are hoping to get the majority of funding from that.

"The money will be spent wisely but if there is someone available then we will try and get them in. But we have got John Mullin and Jimmy Ryan on the bench."

The chairman also revealed that Stanley had been interested in Southport winger Craig Noone but he has joined Plymouth in a £100,000 deal.