Departing Crewe skipper David Artell insists he is not bitter despite being released just days after leading the club to promotion.
The 31-year-old defender played in both the play-off semi-final and final with a broken bone in his foot before being told his contract had not been renewed.
"You can't be bitter, it's football, that's life," Artell told the Sentinel.
"I didn't think I deserved to leave, but I'm not going to cry over spilt milk.
"I'm not embarrassed to admit that I didn't want to go, but it's the way Crewe work. They always want to bring younger players into the squad.
"It's ultimately proved to my detriment, but it's a fantastic, refreshing way to run a ship."
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