Financial necessity and the player's personal ambition fuelled Rory Prendergast's move to rivals Accrington Stanley.

Spectacular displays by the wing wizard since arriving at Horsfall Stadium has made a move to a bigger club look increasingly likely.

At one stage it looked like interest from Chesterfield and Lincoln would see Prendergast return to the Football League, but the definite and immediate Stanley offer was too good to refuse.

"I don't think it is a secret that I wanted a move back to the Football League," said Prendergast, who was happy with his second-half debut for Stanley in the 2-1 defeat at Hucknall Town on Saturday.

"I want to play football, that is all I want to do, and here I might have a chance of going back full-time within a couple of years.

"Bradford are an ambitious club, but it will a few years before they can move forward, while Accrington are favourites to go up this season.

"It is the right move for me and at the right time."

Prendergast has been a class apart during his five-month stint at Bradford, with an unbelievable ability to consistently send in high-quality crosses.

Both veteran full back Martin James and boss Trevor Storton have admitted that there is no finer crosser of the ball from the left outside the Premiership.

And Prendergast admits that the support he has received at Avenue has helped him improve as a player.

"Trevor and Thommo (assistant manager Ian Thompson) have been absolutely brilliant with me," said Prendergast, who is believed to be doubling his wage with the move to Lancashire.

"They have really helped me as a player and I have played some of my best football with Avenue.

"They are a great set of lads, I haven't been at a club where there has been such good team spirit and the lads going out together so much.

"I want to wish them all the best."

But fans have reacted with anger to the shock news, the winger having been a clear crowd favourite at the Horsfall Stadium with his passionate play and dramatic celebrations.

The club's internet mailing list has filled up with disgruntled supporters expressing despair at the side's star attraction leaving the club.

But it was the clearly the player's decision to leave, enticed by offers of more money and a chance of returning to the Football League with an ambitious club.

Although Prendergast had settled in on the field, there were some problems off the field between team-mates and club officials.

It is believed there has been at least one dressing-room bust up this season and Prendergast's over-ambitious attitude has led him into the occasional altercation with others at the club.