GOALSCORING midfield player Gary Taylor-Fletcher spoke of his sadness at leaving Town but confessed: “This is my big chance.”
The 26-year-old has signed for Championship Blackpool for an undisclosed fee after two years at the Galpharm in which he netted 26 goals in 92 games – many of them vital ones.
Town manager Andy Ritchie has already spoken to a couple of transfer targets after confirming there’s now extra leeway to add to the squad and Fletch – who netted the 500,000th Football League goal while at the club – reckons there could well be success at the Galpharm this season.
“I was looking forward to going into the Championship with Town, but this is an early chance to step up in my career and so it has to be a good move for me,” said the Liverpudlian utility player.
“This is an opportunity I can’t afford to miss, really, because there are some great games to be had in the Championship next season and, from what Paul Rachubka tells me, there is the same sort of spirit at Blackpool as there is at Town, so it’s going to be enjoyable.
“It’s got to be the biggest move of my career for that reason and I couldn’t have asked for much more at this stage, but I’ve had two great years with Town with some wonderful memories, and I’d like to think I’ve got a good relationship with the fans after some of the goals I’ve scored.”
Fletch has signed a two-year contract at Bloomfield Road – the same deal he had left with Town – and he’s also got the option of a further year.
One of his first assignments for Blackpool, of course, will be to try and knock Town out of the Carling Cup at the first hurdle.
“I’ll be looking forward to that one – I just hope Jon Worthington doesn’t kick me!” he smiled. “This move has come about very quickly and I’m just hoping, really, that both clubs can have successful seasons.
“Stepping up will be a big test both for me and for Blackpool, but sometimes you surprise people and that’s the aim. I hope we don’t struggle, but I do think we will surprise a few people.
“I also think Town will do well, especially if they get off to a good start because I’ve been impressed with Andy Ritchie since he came in and he’s got some clever ideas to put across.
“I just hope he can keep a settled team because there is a great bunch of lads here and Town are set up to do well.”
The former Leyton Orient and Lincoln player will now be part of Blackpool’s pre-season tour to Latvia a week tomorrow. He confirmed he’ll be looking for a new home nearer the coast.
“I’ve got some great memories, and the first one would be among the best – scoring the first hat trick of my career and my first goals for the club in the same game,” he said.
“The Chelsea game will always be sweet too, because the looks on the faces of our fans when I scored that goal will live with me forever. It clearly meant as much to them as to me. The publicity I got after I scored that 500,000th League goal, too, will always be special.”
