CONNOR Hall has revealed he turned down the chance to play in the Scottish Premier League to join Accrington Stanley.

The striker, who signed on loan from Bolton Wanderers until January, said proximity to the University of Bolton Stadium was important to him if he was going to go anywhere during the window.

But it was the Reds’ determination to acquire his services that struck the biggest chord with the 20-year-old.

“I’d actually heard about Accrington (being interested) right at the start of the window. They were the first ones to make an enquiry about me.

“So when you know they have done their homework and looked at what they are buying it makes you think it could be the right fit,” said Slough-born Hall, who scored 23 goals for Bolton’s development squad last season.

“Location was quite important. I had a few options and most of them were further away from Bolton or my home down south, including one up in the Scottish Premier League.

“It is flattering to have been offered the chance to play up there but I felt it would be better to be playing for an English club.

“There’s the fact I wouldn’t be up there on my own, which would be difficult if you weren’t getting games, but I just feel Accrington are ambitious, they play good football and Bolton will know exactly where I’m up to.”

Hall thought the chance to go out and get first team football had passed him by as the clock ticked down on loan deadline day. With just 20 minutes of the window left, the former Sheffield United trainee was still in suspense.

Bolton were willing to let Hall go out on loan, but only on the proviso of them securing at least one senior replacement.

He had been told he might be needed in the squad to face Preston the next day.

But just before the window closed Wanderers signed Christian Doidge from Forest Green Rovers, giving Hall’s move to the Wham Stadium the green light.

“I’ve been training with the first team at Bolton alongside very good players and I feel like I’m ready to take that next step now,” he said.

“It has been great to get that experience but it’s got to the stage where if I don’t make the squad on a Saturday then it’s tougher to progress.

“This is one league down from Bolton and if I can do well, maybe extend the deal to the rest of the season, then the (Bolton) gaffer can see I can handle myself at that level and hopefully offer me a chance in the Championship to see how far I can go.

“I have got to go and make it happen.”

He added: “Looking back to last season with the Under-23s things weren’t really going for me at the start of the season and I wasn’t pleased with how I was playing. Then I scored a hat-trick in one game and I just couldn’t stop. The goals came every week and it just starts to come naturally to you.

“Being a striker, confidence is a massive thing but I know I have got to get my head down and make sure this loan works for me.

“If I get something out of it then Accrington do as well.”