John Miles has said his big regret is that he didn’t ring John Coleman to tell the Reds manager that he was joining Fleetwood.
The winger, who has been at Stanley since 2007 apart from a spell on loan at MK Dons in 2008, was offered a new deal at the Crown Ground but big-spending Blue Square Premier League newcomers Fleetwood offered him a one-year contract where he will team up with Reds old boys Peter Cavanagh, Ian Craney and Anthony Barry.
He text Coleman on Sunday to tell him he wouldn’t be accepting the Reds contract, which has led to some harsh criticism of the 28-year-old.
And Miles admitted: "That’s my big regret. I have a lot of respect for John Coleman and Jimmy Bell and I should have rung them.
"The reason I didn’t was that he would have either tried to change my mind or we would have fallen out and I didn’t want either of those.
"Looking back, though, I should have spoken to him but now I know it is too late."
Miles has dismissed some claims that he moved to Fleetwood for money.
"I moved for the length of contract. I was offered a deal by Accrington for a year on less money. I went back to them and we negotiated a six-month deal on the same money from last season.
"I had no complaints. I know my last season wasn’t my best and that was reflected in the contract.
"I fully understand that I didn’t do myself justice last season and I hoped in six months I could do better.
"There was, though, always the problem that I could get injured and then, come Christmas, I could be out of work completely.
"I would have risked it as I agreed the deal but then Fleetwood got in touch about a one-year deal on similar money to what I was on at Accrington last year.
"I haven’t got a massive pay rise and the move wasn’t for money as some people have implied.
"I have a young family and one year is a more solid deal for me. Plus I also feel, and probably some fans agree, that I needed a change.
"The fact I hadn’t done so well in Accrington was reflected in the new deal offered to me and the gaffer was probably only giving me a contract on the back of the season before last and not last season’s performances.
"Hopefully this is a new start for me but my big regret now is not ringing John Coleman – I did owe him that much.
"Hopefully when things calm down we will talk again as I do know how passionate he is about Accrington Stanley.
"I admit I had given my word to Accrington but anyone who says they would still sign if someone came in with a bigger or longer contract is a liar."
