Richie Smallwood makes admission about his Hull City departure

Despite being a core part of Hull City’s side last season making 43 appearances in all competitions, captain Richie Smallwood was released by the Tigers at the end of the season. 

Whilst the club had the option for a one year extension, the player claims that this was not taken up.

The 31-year-old was not without a club for long as Bradford City snapped him up soon after his release where he is now looking forward to life under Mark Hughes.

Nevertheless, the midfielder can’t help but feel disappointed about the way his time at the MKM Stadium ended as he admitted to The Yorkshire Post: “It was a bit disappointing, to be fair, with how it ended. I felt like I had a really good season.

“Probably my best season in the Championship that I have had over the course of my career.

“I played 42 games and I think the impact in the team spoke for itself. In the games I didn’t play, the team didn’t win and I think that speaks volumes.

“And then I was disappointed in the way there was no contract or anything. No new terms and not even the option taken.

“It was a bit disappointing in just finding out literally two minutes before the retained list. It was certainly not ideal.”

Despite his disappointment, Smallwood is now fully focused on his future in West Yorkshire as he said: “But I have been around the game for a number of years and it is a different business and it is out on its own really. They don’t really look after players in the way they should.

“It is one of those things. You have to put it behind you and move on.

“I really enjoyed my time there, had success and gave it my all. It’s a shame there was nothing there, but it is a new challenge now and I will hopefully hit the ground running and play as well as I didn’t last