ANDY Procter has revealed that he turned down bigger financial offers from Stevenage and Leyton Orient to sign a new deal at Accrington Stanley.

The 28-year-old became one of five players to put pen to paper on a new contract at the Crown Ground on Friday, alongside Luke Joyce, Ian Dunbavin, Alan Burton and former Blackburn Rovers defender Dean Winnard.

Procter, who joined Stanley in 2001, has been granted a testimonial as part of his two-year contract and the Reds skipper retains the faith that boss John Coleman can rebuild the side after the loss of a number of key players this summer.

One of those to depart, Phil Edwards, recently joined Stanley’s play-off conquerors and fierce rivals Stevenage but Procter opted to turn down an offer from the Boro as well as from fellow League One side Leyton Orient.

“I spoke to Graham Westley at Stevenage and he offered me a contract,” said Procter, who is close to completing a physiotherapy degree at the University of Salford.

“Leyton Orient came in for me strongly early on as well, and there were a few clubs interested.

“The wages would have been higher but there’s the cost of living in the south, because I’d have been paying London prices.

“With my personal situation it wasn’t right for me to relocate, and it’s coming up to my testimonial year here now.

“The gaffer and Jimmy Bell are having their testimonials this year so I don’t think anything will be happening yet.

“But the gaffer did guarantee me a testimonial when I spoke to him, so maybe I could have a pre-season game next year against decent opposition.

“I’ve grown up with Accrington because I came here when I was 17 or 18, when I was a spotty teenager, and they have developed me as a player.

“I enjoy the extra responsibility that I’ve been given with the captaincy as well. I take a lot of pride from being captain.”