Former Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard has enraged the club's fans after aiming a parting shot at them on his way out of Ashton Gate.

Sold to Championship leaders West Ham United on transfer deadline day last week, the 25-year-old striker has sparked a storm of protest over comments he allegedly made in the Football League paper.

Giving reasons for his move from the West to London, he claimed he did not want his young son, Camden, to grow up with a Bristolian accent.

Maynard also alleges his decision to leave City was prompted by abuse from fans, who he accuses of targeting members of his family during a game against Coventry at the Ricoh Arena on Boxing Day.

His comments have outraged Bristolians and City fans in particular, a large number of whom had already turned against him following his refusal to sign a new contract last year.

Maynard told the Football League Paper: "I've got a five-month baby boy now and, if he can't be northern then I'd rather he grows up with a cockney accent than a Bristolian one."

Although the comment was made tongue-in-cheek, it has been interpreted as disrespectful by City fans.

In the same article, Maynard was quoted as saying: "My family were getting food and coke bottles thrown at them, people were shouting abuse. Some others hung 'Judas' banners up. That's not really on."

Maynard, however, told the Western Daily Press: "I have to put the record straight on this. The comment was made lightheartedly and has been taken out of context.

"I had four great years in Bristol, have a lot of good friends there and wouldn't dream of upsetting people in the city. I meant no disrespect. I'm not that sort of person."

In another interview with the BBC, Maynard said: "I was ready to move because it was hard for my family to come to games.

"The fans were giving me a hard time, which I could take, but for them to be how they were with my family was more or less the turning point for me. I trained as much as I could and played as well as I could. The staff and the players were behind me, but I think the fans were getting a bit agitated.

"There were times when my parents and my family had come to away games and they were getting stick. I found it disrespectful.

"In the long run, it is best that I get out the way now, concentrate on playing football and make sure my family are happy and secure as well."

City fans displayed a banner at the Coventry game which read "Maynard +£ = Judas." But as regards the alleged bottle and food throwing incidents, no complaints were made to Coventry City, Bristol City or the Police.

Responding to Maynard's allegations, a Bristol City spokesman said: "This is the first we have heard of this. We have received no official complaints at any time regarding Nicky Maynard and his family."

Maynard added: "A bottle was thrown at my father at the Coventry game and, given the circumstances at the time, I thought it was probably done deliberately.

"My family have hardly been to see me play since. which is understandable. Now is the time for everyone to move on, look to the future, and not harbour any bad feelings."

Signed from Crewe Alexandra for a club-record fee of £2.25 million in July 2008, Maynard's goals – he scored 46 times in 131 appearances for the Robins – established him as a firm favourite with fans.

But that relationship soured when the Cheshire-born forward refused to sign a contract extension and was put on the transfer list in December.

He signed for West Ham in a £2 million-deal last week, seemingly bringing an end to what had become a long-running saga. But his comments are sure to stir up more bad feeling and Maynard can expect a hot reception when West Ham play at Ashton Gate on Tuesday, April 17.