SEAN Crighton admits he’s leaving Cappielow with a heavy heart after calling time on his role as Morton youth academy head. 

The Greenock native left the Ton at the weekend after accepting coaching positions with Airdrie’s first team and Hamilton Accies’ youth academy.

Crighton, who combined his coaching role with playing for the Diamonds, had coached with the youth academy since its inception and was appointed head of youth academy pathway last year. 

The defender was also part of the Ton’s 2014-15 League One title-winning side.

He said: “This club means so much to me. Circumstances have dictated this decision but it’s now time for me to move on and take on a new challenge. 

“I have been involved in the academy set-up since it started and have so many memories at the club from a coaching perspective. I have seen so many young players progress through our youth system and there will be so many more to come.

“Being a young coach and then to take up my role as head of youth is something I always wanted to do and I must thank the club and Derek Anderson most of all for the support they have all given me.

“My memories of this club will be something I will never forget on both sides of the game.

“From winning my first league title as a senior player and captaining Morton at some stages throughout that season will be something that can never be taken away from me and I am very proud of that.

“To then be playing against the club and against boys I have seen come through our system is exactly what my job entailed from an academy point of view.

“I want to wish all the staff, players and parents all the best of luck at Morton.”