JOSH SIMPSON insists money was not the prime reason he left Crawley Town.

The former Reds captain rejected the offer of a new contract this week to bring to an end a successful four-and-a-half year spell with the Reds.

Simpson says he was willing to take a pay cut following Crawley’s relegation to League Two but felt it was time for a fresh challenge.

Simpson said: “It was a difficult decision, especially because of what happened last season. Part of me didn’t want to leave in those circumstances with me being injured for most of the year and the club being relegated.

“I wanted to have another go so my head was saying one thing and my heart the other but I came to the decision it was the right thing for both me and the club if I moved on.

“It wasn’t down to money or length of contract. The club had to cut its budget after relegation and I was willing to take a pay cut but I just felt it was the right time for me to move on.”

Former Crawley first-team coach and caretaker boss Craig Brewster has been lined up to become assistant-manager at Plymouth Argyle, working alongside new boss Derek Adams.