NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn has revealed that Sean Rigg opted to move into part-time football to pursue a new career as a tattoo artist.

County announced yesterday that Rigg’s contract, which ran to the end of this season, had been cancelled by mutual consent.

The 29-year-old then signed an 18-month deal to play for Bath City in the Conference South while he studies for life after football.

Rigg, who made 40 appearances last season as he helped the club to avoid relegation, had suffered from injuries this season and had not started a League Two match since October.

Flynn last month denied rumours that there was a contract dispute between the pair and he said today that he wanted the player to stay.

“Even last week I asked Sean, I wanted him to stay,” said the Exiles boss.

“He was injured – there was no smokescreen – but he made his decision a while back that he wanted to go part-time and pursue a career in being a tattoo artist.

“I tried to change his mind, I spoke to his father and to his agent.

“He’s a clever lad, but he just fell out of love with the game.

“He was thinking of the future and this was the ideal time for him to go and chase his dream, which is to be a tattoo artist.”

Flynn insisted there was no ill feeling between him and Rigg.

“He was magnificent for me, he never caused me any problems and I tried to keep him but his mind was made up,” he added.

“Everything was very amicable and I’m hoping that he comes to Wembley with us.

“On his day Sean would have been valuable to us but unfortunately he’s had a few niggling injuries and he hasn’t been able to hit top form.

“It’s been a frustrating time for him but I’ve got nothing bad to say about Sean.

“He played a big part last season in helping keep us up and I’m sure we’ll keep in touch.”