STUART Howson doesn't believe he was given the chance to prove himself at Accrington Stanley.

The defender, who made just eight appearances for the Reds after becoming one of manager John Coleman's first summer signings, left the club last week to join Conference North side Droylsden.

But, despite an amicable parting of the ways, Howson felt he still had plenty to offer Stanley.

"In the last games I was involved in we won five and drew one, then I got dropped. I knew the writing was on the wall after that," said Howson, who recently spent a month on loan at Droylsden.

"If you don't stay in the team after five wins and a draw, when do you hope to stay in the team?

"It's disappointing because I don't think I was given a fair crack of the whip.

"I was disappointed not to start the season because I thought I was good enough to play.

"But football's all about opinions and I just have to get on with it."

Former Blackburn Rovers Academy startlet Howson is now facing the prospect of being a part-time footballer for the first time in his career.

But he is relishing the chance to play his part in Droylsden push for promotion to the Nationwide Conference.

"It's an ambitious club with some good players and a few who have had League experience," Howson explained.

"They want to move quite quickly to get up into the Conference, and hopefully that will happen.

"In the meantime I have to come to terms with being part-time and find a job."

The former Chesterfield defender, who has yet to finalise a deal with the Bloods after last week's hastily arranged transfer, has completed a fitness instructor course and is now looking into the possibility of becoming a personal trainer.