Sol - Promises were broken

Defender lifts the lid on his Meadow Lane exit

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 27th September 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Sol - Promises were broken

Campbell: Lasted 45 days with County

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Sol Campbell has revealed the reasons behind his decision to quit Notts County just one game into a five-year contract.

The experienced centre-half stunned the football world this summer when he opted to move to Meadow Lane as a free agent.

The former Arsenal, Tottenham and Portsmouth ace insisted he was happy to make the step down to League Two, claiming he was excited to be part of the ambitious plans at County.

However, having initially struggled for fitness, he dramatically walked out on the Magpies last week after making just one first-team appearance - in a 2-1 defeat against Morecambe.

Campbell had lasted just 29 days on the banks of the River Trent, making a mockery of the big-money contract he penned upon his arrival.

The England international claims he had to leave in order to keep his World Cup ambitions alive, but his decision has been widely condemned by the football fraternity.

The 35-year-old claims he never set out to court controversy, and insists he took the decision to quit County after several promises made to him when he joined were broken by the club's new owners.

Campbell told the News of the World: "I knew I would be the club's first big signing but was told I would be the first of many.

Disappointed

"Names like Roberto Carlos and Benjani were mentioned. But nothing materialised.

"And you know when people have money because things happen quickly.

"The only thing I'm guilty of is taking people at their word."

Campbell added: "So I'm not embarrassed, not hurt or humbled or anything like that - I am just disappointed.

"I bought into a dream and I wanted to make that dream a reality. But it took me less than a month to realise that it was all heading to a different conclusion.

"Let's leave it at that. I don't want to say too much. I'm going to remain dignified. I'm not interested in this becoming a slanging match.

"They can say what they want about me but I have got nothing against County."

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