BALA TOWN midfielder Gary Roberts has departed the club, just six weeks after joining.

The 36-year-old returned to the Lakesiders, who he had previously played for 16 years ago, at the end of November and made his second debut when he came on in the 3-1 win over Newtown.

But the JD Cymru Premier club announced on January 4 that the player has now left once more to join English Football League One side Accrington Stanley.

A statement from Bala Town that day read: "Having signed for the Lakesiders in late November, Gary made 4 appearances and notched in 1 goal in a win against Aberystwyth at Park Avenue.

"Gary will return to the Football League and former club Accrington Stanley, where he played for 2 years of his career, between 2005 and 2007. While playing for Stanley, he notched a respectful 23 goals in 64 appearances. He was also part of the side that got promoted to the Football League in 2005-2006 season.

"Everyone at the club would like to thank Gary for his efforts, and we wish him well at his former club."

Roberts returns to Bala with plenty of experience under his belt, having racked up a total of 550 appearances in the English Football League.

He played for Accrington Stanley, Ipswich Town, Crewe Alexandra, Huddersfield Town, Swindon Town, Chesterfield, Portsmouth, and most recently Wigan Athletic, who he left in early November having made more than 50 appearances.

Roberts has also represented his country (England) at C level, having been capped four times during 2005 and 2006.

During his spell with Huddersfield Town, the midfielder would go on to pick up the Player Of The Year and the Players’ Player Of The Year in the 2008/2009 season.

Earlier in his career, he came through Liverpool's academy before also playing for Denbigh Town.

Roberts would go on to play for Rhyl, Bangor City and Welshpool Town, where he scored nine times in 20 appearances in Wales' top-flight.