DARLINGTON officials last night fired an angry broadside at Michael Oliver after the former midfielder accused the club of lacking ambition.

Oliver left Feethams for third division rivals Rochdale after turning down a new one-year contract.

And in a parting shot at the club, he accused them of lacking the ambition of his new employers and expected an easy win for Dale when they entertain Quakers on the first day of the season.

Now the Feethams club has gone on the offensive with a strongly worded attack on the player.

Spokesman Luke Raine said: "While he was at the club, Michael Oliver was treated no differently than any other player.

"But Michael was very difficult to please. Michael was only happy when things were going his way.''

Raine said Oliver was not "chased from the club" and they would have been happy for him to remain, although they were actively seeking a better calibre of player for his position. "We thought we could bring players in that might do a better job for us," he added.

Oliver is not the only former Darlington player to criticise the side.

Now former skipper Steve Tutill, who joined Chesterfield recently, has turned on the club.

Tutill said he didn't want to leave but was left with little choice.

"It was in my contract that I had a one year option and a £10,000 payment," he said.

"But the club refused to pay it. I am not blaming the manager or the coaching staff - they were great.

"But I could hardly stay and play while taking them to a tribunal. But if they had paid me the money and given me a two-year-deal without a pay rise I would have stayed."

Tutill said he was not asking "megabucks" and wanted to stay

"In the end the club gave me a free transfer and I had no option but to take it. Other clubs were interested in me, but I wanted to stay close to my York home and Chesterfield offered me a good deal," he said.

Addressing the supporters Tutill added: "I want to make it absolutely clear to Darlington fans that I wanted to stay and play for them. We were building a solid squad and I was very happy. All I wanted was for my contract to be honoured."

Meanwhile, Dundee United have said there has been no movement on Neil Heaney's proposed move.

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