Oxford United’s out-of-favour goalkeeper Billy Turley has turned down chances to move to other clubs because he wants to stay and fight for his place.

And he says he doesn’t want to leave the U’s while everyone is pulling in the same direction to try to get the team up this season.

The 36-year-old, who had been the club’s first choice for the best part of the past five years, is the only survivor of their League Two days back in 2005.

And he says he would rather play just a handful more games for United if it meant helping them regain their place in the Football League, rather than 150 at another club where there wasn’t the same burning ambition, from those within the club and its fans.

Turley (pictured above) lost his place to Ryan Clarke at the start of this term and has been unable to get it back.

“Before the transfer window, I could have gone – there were a few clubs that came in for me, but I wanted to stay and fight for a place,” he said.

“Why would I want to go? I could go away and play another 200 games for somebody. But why would I do that when I’ve been here for so long.”

There were rumours of a reported “storming out” by Turley after he was told he would not be starting against York on August 8, but that was later laughed off by manager Chris Wilder.

And Turley now says he gets on fine with the U’s boss, whom he believes will go on to become a top manager.

“Did I like him for a day? No. Do I like him now? Of course I do. It was the decision he made, I got on with it.”