JASON Kennedy last night became the second Darlington player inside 24 hours to leave for a League Two rival as he agreed to join Rochdale.

On the same day that Ricky Ravenhill completed his move to Notts County, Kennedy signed a two-year deal with the club against whom he twice scored spectacular goals for Quakers.

The 22-year-old curled in a stunning effort during last season’s play-offs at The Northern Echo Darlington Arena and followed that up with a long-range volley in a televised match at Spotland last month.

Ex-Quakers manager Dave Penney had wanted to take the midfielder to Oldham.

Before completing the move Kennedy had yesterday spoken of his frustration at having his exit blocked by Darlington’s administrators.

He said: “I am determined to move on and make this happen, nobody should demand a transfer fee for me especially as I have not been paid for so long.

“We were all told that we could leave at the end of the season and that we should all find new clubs, my representative has been doing that and we have agreed to join another League Two club.

“My agent spoke to the administrator on Tuesday and everything was OK for me to leave but within an hour that changed and they said that it was now up to the club.

“I have not been paid properly since January, I have a mortgage and a girlfriend to support.

“This whole situation is unfair, I am struggling financially I have had to loan money from friends and family and just when there seems to be some good news about a new club somebody is trying to block that.”

Kennedy joined on loan from Middlesbrough in February 2008 before making the switch permanent in the summer of last year.

He made 68 appearances in all competitions and was the only Darlington player to appear in every league and cup game this season.

He added: “I want to thank the Darlington fans who have been great with me and they will always have a place in my heart but I am sure that they understand my personal situation.

“I would also like to thank Dave Penney and Martin Gray for helping me become a more complete player.”

Rochdale boss Keith Hill said: “There has been a tremendous amount of effort in the negotiations but it has come to fruition with an excellent signing.

“We have been very impressed with Jason’s attitude towards the move and he sees us as a progressive and stable club. He has had offers from other clubs and could have hung on for longer but wanted to get the mental side of things settled and to prepare himself for a big season.

“Jason is a very good player, he is the right age, has a wonderful attitude and will give us great competition for places in a key area.”

Ravenhill was at Meadow Lane yesterday to complete his move and said: “I can’t wait to get my Notts County career underway.

“It really impressed me that Ian McParland, David Kevan and Tommy Johnson all took the trouble to travel up to talk to me.

“I know that Notts struggled last season but the manager has told me how determined people are to make this club a force again and I want to be a part of that.”