FANS will be hoping Jon Stead's departure doesn't spell disaster for the club's promotion chances.

They were heartbroken four years ago when Marcus Stewart left to join Ipswich - a move from which many feel the club has never recovered.

These are not identical circumstances by any means, but supporters still feel that pain and don't want to go through it again.

The value of Stead to the team is clear.

The 20-year-old who joined the club when he was nine has scored 16 of Town's 43 League goals this season.

He was top scorer with 18 in all competitions - Andy Booth being next in the list on 10.

From the moment Stead scored a double on the opening day of the campaign, it was clear he was a much better player than the one given a debut as a sub a year earlier by Mick Wadsworth.

Stead netted six goals last season in 32 starts plus 14 more as a sub.

It was a steep learning curve for him, especially as the club lurched into severe problems off the pitch and the team suffered relegation on it.

Stead, who was top scorer in the Academy in 2001-02 despite not being given a chance by then manager Lou Macari, worked hard over the summer to improve his strength and power.

Hours in the gym paid off and he emerged this season with that double in the 2-2 draw against Cambridge to grab all the headlines.

Those goals came just 24 hours after Ken Davy's takeover of the club was completed, and his continued fine form quickly had the scouts flocking to the McAlpine.

If four goals in the first three matches and seven in the first 10 outings of the season weren't enough to whet the appetite of the top flight, his spectacular goal in the 4-2 demolition of Sunderland on their own patch in the Carling Cup certainly was.

He showed his prowess from free-kicks as the season unfolded and he scored against all the big guns of the division.

His last goal for the club from open play - unless he does an Andy Booth at some stage in the future - said everything about Stead's ability and suggested he will have no trouble stepping up at Ewood Park.

It came against Doncaster on January 3 from a pass by Nat Brown and Stead's control, followed by a cool finish, had the Premier League touch.

His last goal for the club came at Cambridge from the penalty spot and his last appearance in the 2-0 home win against Boston on January 17, when he hobbled off with the Achilles and hamstring injuries which were to keep him out at York.

His chances of a farewell at Bristol Rovers were ruined by the weather.