Smith in rage as Meynell walks

Defender Rhys Meynell has walked out on AFC Telford United – turning his back on a one-year deal he agreed only last week to join Chester City instead.

Meynell moved to the Bucks from Stalybridge Celtic and had taken part in just one training session, but he jumped at the chance to link up with his former Gretna boss Mick Wadsworth at Chester.

That has left Telford chief Rob Smith to fume at the way the Barnsley-based player has conducted himself, and reflect: "We've had a lucky escape."

"I've no problem with him going there because it's full-time," said Smith. "It's a great move for him and I respect that, but I've no respect for the way he has gone about it .

"He trained on Saturday then we had a message on Monday saying he couldn't make training on Tuesday because he had a job interview in Barnsley.

"We knew Mick Wadsworth had just got the Chester job. He was someone we actually spoke to for a reference before signing him, so we asked Rhys directly if he was going to speak to Chester.

"He denied that completely, but then we got a call from the Chester secretary yesterday so we got hold of him and he admitted it.

"It's no loss in my eyes because the one thing we have got is an honest squad."

Chester have been able to poach the 20-year-old player because, although he had signed Conference forms with Telford, he had yet to formally sign the one-year contract offered.

The conduct of Chester chief Wadsworth has also been blasted by Smith, who has been shocked by the cloak-and-dagger approach.

"Mick Wadsworth could have picked up the phone and asked what the situation was and we would have allowed him to speak to Rhys," he added.

"Even if he had signed a contract I'd have torn it up for him, because I wouldn't hold him back.

"I'm really disappointed in Rhys and in Chester."

By CHRIS HUDSON