BOBBY GRANT has nothing but respect for the way he was treated by Carl Darlington despite spending the last 18 months away from Wrexham.

The attacking midfielder has been released by the Reds who he initially joined on loan from Fleetwood Town in November 2018.

After making the move to The Racecourse permanent in the New Year, Grant was allowed to join Accrington Stanley on loan in January 2020 and still finished last season - cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic - as Wrexham's leading scorer with eight goals.

There was no Wrexham return as Grant spent the 2020-21 campaign on loan at League Two side Oldham Athletic and his time at the club has now officially come to an end.

But even though he has not turned out for Wrexham for the best part of a year-and-a-half, it has not stopped outgoing first team coach Darlington keeping in regular contract with Grant since Covid 19 gripped the country.

"The one person who I did speak to at Wrexham was Carl," said Grant.

"He has been nothing but great. He has been so helpful to me over the Covid period.

"He was one of the members of staff who stayed in touch with me and I have got nothing but praise for him, he has been exceptional.

"He reached out to me and we have had a good few conversations over the phone and fair play to Carl, he is helping me with my coaching course as well."

Free agent Grant wants to continue playing but admits coaching is something that appeals to him.

"I have played over 480 games over a 15 year period and I'm still only 30 so I am going to continue playing," said Grant, who has spent his whole career playing in the Football League apart from his stint with Wrexham.

"But coaching as well, I feel I have got a lot to pass on to the young generation coming up."

Darlington has spoken regularly with Grant but he is still waiting to be told officially that he has been released by Wrexham.

"I was away on loan but I didn't know I'd been released by Wrexham until you just rang me," said Grant.

"I didn't have a phone call or anything from anyone - I haven't spoken to anyone at the club for a long time."