BARRY ASHBY has turned on his critics following his release from Gillingham.

He has launched an attack on those who questioned his decision to leave Priestfiled saying: "I'm no money grabber."

The 34-year-old central defender confessed to being hurt and angry following accusations that he had priced himself out of a new contract after eight years at the club.

Ashby, who cost Gillingham £140,000 when he signed from Brentford in September, 1997 found himself surplus to requirements two weeks ago.

Since then he has been speaking to interested clubs in the hope that he and his young family can remain living at their home near Maidstone.

In setting the record straight, he said: "At first I thought I would say nothing. Then I started reading things which were totally untrue.

"The last straw was when a women in my bank had a go at me. When I told her the truth she apologised.

"So I want to make it clear to all Gillingham supporters, and anybody who is interested, that I was not offered another contract at Gillingham. Nothing in writing was ever placed in front of me.

"To show how much I wanted to stay I offered to accept terms that were less than what I signed for eight years ago. But the club weren’t interested.

"It’s important the fans know that."

Both Ashby and former skipper Paul Smith, two of the clubs highest earners, have also been criticised for not taking a pay-cut following the collapse of ITV Digital.

Ashby disclosed: "In response to that I want it known that both of us offered to take cuts in return for an extra year on our contracts. The offer was not taken up.

"Neither Paul or I are money grabbers and what has been said about us has been grossly unfair."

Meanwhile, former Gillingham midfielder David Perpetuini is expected to sign for Nationwide Conference club Stevenage, while ex-Gills striker Matt Bodkin has not been offered a contract by Scunthorpe.