Topp leaves Bantams

McCall: No hidden agenda

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Bradford City striker Willy Topp has left Valley Parade by mutual consent to seek new opportunities in Spain.

The Chile international, also known as Billy, moved to the League Two outfit in a £35,000 switch from Universidad Catolica in December 2007.

But he started only six times for the Bantams - without scoring a goal - and made just two substitute appearances this term following an operation.

The 22-year-old has now agreed to cancel his contract six months early with Stuart McCall's side to pursue his career in Spain.

Joint-chairman Mark Lawn told the club's official website: "It's not worked out for Billy but that's just down to the style of football.

Unfortunate

"It's unfortunate because he's undoubtedly got talent, and Stuart believes that as well, but we couldn't find a formation we could play him in.

"Billy believes he will do better in Spain, so he is looking at a club over there to take him. He goes with all our best wishes."

It took several months to initially sign Topp back in 2007, leading to speculation he was a 'chairman's signing'.

But Lawn dismissed this as a "fallacy", saying: "That is absolute nonsense. Stuart looked at him and decided whether to sign him. I just had to find the finances.

"He was brought over by Paul Topping, so people thought I was involved with him, but it was Stuart's decision.

"Unfortunately Billy has not been able to get in the side and he wanted to leave the club. We all decided it was probably the best for him to go."

No issue

McCall insisted 'there was no personal issue here or hidden agenda' concerning the player, who underwent a double calf operation in April then went home to Chile to recover over the summer.

The Bantams boss added: "I thought it would be hard for him going back to his family and I got told through a source that he didn't want to come back. But when you are contracted, you've got to.

"We had a chat when he returned and I explained we'd brought in Michael Boulding and replaced Luke Medley like for like with Rory Boulding. Also, I didn't know at that time that Leon Osborne was going to push through from the reserves.

"I said that if Billy performed and did well, he would be involved like everyone. There were a lot of new faces in the squad and everyone was starting with a clean slate.

"But for a few reasons, it's been stop-start for him and he kept having niggling little injuries. In the meantime, the three main strikers have got 25 goals between them, while young Leon has emerged after doing exceptionally well in the reserves.

"Early in the season, Rory was scoring goals for fun before he got injured, so we've got five strikers up for two places. I will always go on merit and I couldn't guarantee Billy a place in the side."