Vincent quits Walsall for Aldershot

Walsall have allowed Jamie Vincent to quit the club and join Aldershot – despite the left-back agreeing a new contract last month.

The 35-year-old has left the Saddlers for family reasons, after finding it difficult commuting from his home in Sandhurst.

And Vincent insists he had to consider the impact on his family.

He said: "If I was single or lived closer, I'd never have even contemplated moving on. Family has to come first though and I don't want my family life to suffer.

"It was a very hard decision to make. Being away from my family for the majority of the week was difficult last season and, the more we have spoken about it as a family, the more I have realised that I just couldn't do that again.

"I had agreed a deal at Walsall and I'd like to thank the manager and chairman for their understanding. They have been superb.

"This isn't a footballing decision. I've loved my time at Walsall."

Vincent signed on a free from Swindon last summer and made 40 appearances – winning Players' Player of the Season.

The veteran had captained the side in the absence of Dwayne Mattis and Mark Hughes and enjoyed working with his team-mates.

He said: "Last season, Matty Richards kindly let me use his spare room four times a week, so without him it would have been even more difficult, so I'd like to thank him for that.

"It's a great bunch of lads at Walsall and, in that sense I'm gutted to be leaving.

"However, I've got to think of what's best for my family and I'm hoping to get something sorted with a team nearer to home in the coming days."

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has no axe to grind with Vincent despite his exit.

He said: "We wish Jamie all the best. He's an excellent professional and, as much as we wanted him to stay, it wouldn't have been right for the player or the club to stand in his way.

"He goes with our best wishes."

But Vincent's departure leaves a huge gap in the Saddlers' defence. They have just four defenders on the books next season – all under 23.

Darryl Westlake, 19, Manny Smith, 22, and Clayton McDonald, 21, are the only senior defenders left following Vincent and Hughes' exit.

But the club also have rookie Alex Hickman, who signed his first professional contract last month.