FORMER Bury defender Peter Clarke says he understands why the club had to let him leave to join neighbours Oldham last week.

The 34-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Latics, only two months after being named the Shakers' player-of-the-season.

In a bid to balance the books, manager David Flitcroft was forced into allowing Clarke, one of his highest earners, to leave the club.

Bury have since replaced the centre-back by signing former Wigan defender Leon Barnett on a two-year contract.

And the restructuring of players at Gigg Lane does not leave any sour taste to Clarke.

“I'm not wet behind the ears, I'm not a young pup any more,” Clarke explained. “When you're coming to the latter stages of your career you get used to changes, to an extent. It's part and parcel of football.

“The fans voted for me as player-of-the-year and I was really honoured. I had a great time there but it's football and people move on.

“At the end of last season we had a meeting with all the players and we were informed that if any clubs came looking then we could hear what they had to say.

“I had one or two options earlier in the summer but nothing that really suited me or had the whole package, so to speak.

“When Oldham came in I spoke with the manager Steve Robinson and with his reputation, especially at international level, I listened to what he had to say.”