BILLY Turley, who has joined Brackley Town on a two-year deal, believes Oxford United’s promotion was “a great way to finish” full-time football.

And he says the people behind Brackley are so ambitious it reminds him of his time at Rushden & Diamonds.

The veteran goalkeeper will link up again with Brackley manager Jon Brady.

Turley said: “I know Jon Brady from my Northampton days. I went down there just for a talk really because I’ve had a few other offers, from League and Conference clubs.

“But I’m at a crossroads in my life, I’m 37 in a month and I’ve got a business opportunity I’m looking to start up.

“Brackley’s 29 miles from my home and I’m getting my coaching badge in August.

“When I weighed everything up, I thought it just made sense to play part-time at Brackley and look at something else as well. Too many footballers finish at 35/36 and they have nothing to fall back on.”

Turley said the business opportunity was a joint venture with his best friend Chris Lea – a former player who played under Chris Wilder at Halifax – who has already set up a company in Doncaster selling blinds.

“My contract at Oxford finished after Wembley on May 16,” he added. “That was the first time in 16 years that I was not contracted to a club. But it was a great way to finish.

“I have won championships and been promoted through play-offs before, but I can honestly say that I took more satisfaction in Oxford’s promotion this time than any other – and I wasn’t even playing.

“It’s because they did it in the right way. The club has been thoroughly professional and I know the gaffer had some complimentary things to say about me, and the contribution he felt I made, which was very nice.

“I can repay the compliment because to me the gaffer’s a great manager, I can honestly see him going on to be one of our top managers.”

Turley, though, is happy with the decision he has made.

“I could have gone to a Football League club, but I wasn’t sure whether I wanted full-time training and then to be in the same position again in January (being out of contract in the summer),” he said.

“Saying that, I was also so impressed with the plans they have at Brackley and the plans of the owner, who as a lot of people know is quite a wealthy man.

“He wants Brackley to be in the Conference in two years. They are very similar to how it was at Rushden when I was there.”

l WITH the earlybird discount deadline approaching, Oxford United’s ticket office will be open until 8pm tonight to allow supporters to book their seats for next season.