Rene Gilmartin on why he left Walsall

Rene Gilmartin claims he quit Walsall to go to Championship club Watford because the Saddlers did not value him highly enough.

The goalkeeper left the Banks's Stadium for a two-year deal at Championship outfit Watford last week.

Gilmartin believes the Saddlers' contract offer to stay was not good enough and believes he was worth more than the club were willing to pay.

He said: "Walsall offered me a contract and I didn't feel the terms were sufficient so I rejected it. I valued myself at a bit more than the deal they offered me.

"I didn't hear anything back from Walsall and, because I don't have an agent, I do everything for myself.

"I heard there was interest here and there, so I decided to follow up on it."

And the 23-year-old, who will now compete with England under-21 goalkeeper Scott Loach at Vicarage Road, urged the Saddlers' board to share boss Chris Hutchings' ambition.

Gilmartin said: "After working with him for a year-and-a-half, I know Walsall are in good hands but we will have to see the ambition of the club in relation to the players.

"Everyone associated with Walsall knows that with just a couple per cent more ambition, they could challenge.

"When we have had meetings with Chris and his assistant Martin O'Connor, they have said they wanted us to push on to the top six but you wonder if the club are really supporting them in that ambition."

But Gilmartin, who made 39 appearances for Walsall, agrees he owes the club for giving him his break.

He said: "It was a tough decision, I'd been at Walsall for five years and loved it.

"They really helped me develop as a player."