FORMER Darlington captain Ian Miller has revealed his disappointment at having to walk away from the club, but admits the current situation under chairman Raj Singh left him with no choice.

Having handed in his notice to the club two weeks ago, Miller is now a free agent after Singh failed to pay the defender the wages he was owed from November.

It's not the end to his career at The Northern Echo Arena that Miller envisaged, especially after the euphoria of lifting the FA Trophy at Wembley seven months ago, but the 28-year-old admits the latest turmoil to hit the club was the final straw.

When Quakers were plunged into administration in 2009, Miller stood by the club when he could have walked away, but with the current situation no closer to resolution - Singh is in India until December 28 - the defender feels it was in his and his family's best interests to leave.

"The main difference this time around is that I've been playing week in week out, whereas when we went into administration in 2009 I was more of a fringe player," said Miller, who has played more than 150 games for Quakers.

"Last time everyone had the same amounts taken away from them whereas this time different percentages have been offered to different players, it's not been across the board and if that had happened I think he might have got a different reaction from the players.

"I've skippered the side for two-and-a-half years now, led the side out at Wembley and I feel as if I've grown as a player, but I feel enough is enough and I need to move on and get the love back for the game.

"I've enjoyed the past seven weeks training with Craig Liddle, it's been some of the best training I've had but you're always thinking what's going to happen next? Are we going to get paid next month and whether if we get knocked out of a cup competition or lose two games on the spin then is the same going to happen?''

He admitted: "I never wanted to leave by handing in a 14-day notice asking them to terminate my contract, but the chairman has forced my hand by not responding to anyone.

"He's not been to the training ground to discuss the situation with the squad and explain things so everyone is in the dark."

In the wake of the side's exit from the FA Cup at Hinckley Town, the chairman informed players he would be asking them to take pay cuts.

The bulk of the squad accepted deductions of ten and 25 per cent, but a minority failed to reach an agreement, which led to players only receiving a percentage of their November wages, while two got nothing.

Miller agreed to take the cut offered, but admits that Singh's actions - and lack of communication - pushed him to hand in his notice with others expected to follow.

"When it all came out about the pay cuts I spoke to him personally and came away from the meeting not really knowing a great deal or having heard anything positive,'' he said.

"I was happy to take the cut he had offered me, but because it was all take, take, take and he wouldn't put anything in I wanted and that's when I decided not to sign the contract.

"I haven't spoken to any member of staff apart from Lidds and Colin Galloway (club secretary) and it doesn't help the situation when no one knows what's happening or what's going to happen next.

"We've done everything that he wants us to do, we're training day in, day out and performing on the pitch but we're getting nothing in return.

"I'm not saying his trip hasn't been booked in advance, but I'm sure there's still telephones and emails where he can get messages across to people and pull strings from wherever he is."

Miller added: "At first we were told not to get the PFA involved. They are now, but it's difficult for them to do anything because they're not being shown any figures, so it just seems like we're going round in circles.

"If he decides not to pay the players in December, then he leaves them with no option, because there's only so long you can go on without getting paid.

"The club's obviously got financial backing from winning the Trophy and also from Dan Burn and Michael Smith being sold.

"There's got to be money coming into the club through functions, car boots sales and sales of players, but it can't afford to pay its players."

Last Saturday's win over Cambridge United at the Arena proved to be Miller's last game for Quakers.

Despite being aware of interest from several clubs, Miller admits he is taking a gamble becoming a free agent and as things stand, he hasn't agreed to join another club.

"I'm very disappointed I haven't been able to say thank you to the fans, because I am very grateful,'' he said. "They've been brilliant towards me and everyone."

n Quakers could be without striker Liam Hatch for the Boxing Day trip to Gateshead.

Hatch hobbled off in last weekend's win over Cambridge after tweaking his knee. Caretaker boss Craig Liddle played down the injury straight after the game but Hatch hasn't trained all week.