Jack Redshaw thanks Morecambe fans, players and management after Blackpool switch

The 24-year-old has moved to Bloomfield Road for an undisclosed free, signing a two-year deal with an option of a third.

The former Manchester City youngster is looking forward to making the step up to League 1 but admits to having mixed emotions as he leaves the Globe Arena after three-and-a-half successful seasons with The Shrimps. 
Redshaw, who was back at the club on Friday bidding farewell to the players, management and staff, said: “As a footballer you want to try and move up as high as you can and Blackpool’s in the league above and I feel it’s the right time now to move on and try and progress in my career.

“But I’ve been in saying my goodbyes to everyone and it’s hard.

“I’ve loved every minute of my three and a half seasons here.

“I’ve got massive respect for the gaffer (Jim Bentley) and Kenny (McKenna, assistant manager) and all the lads.

“The gaffer brought me here from Altrincham and gave me a chance in the league and I’m forever thankful for that.

“I believe that he’s improved me massively as a player, and as a person.”

As well as enjoying working with the management at the Globe Arena he says he has made lifelong friendships in the dressing room.

The highly-rated front man said: “It’s an unbelievable set of lads, everyone gets on with each other.

“It’s the best set of lads I’ve ever worked with and I’ve made friends for life and I’m going to miss them all.”

Redshaw has also had a great relationship with Morecambe’s fans and is looking forward to saying a proper goodbye when in a fixture quirk, the Seasiders head to the resort for a friendly on Tuesday, July 28.

He said: “I’m delighted there’s the friendly against Morecambe.

“It’ll be nice to see everyone again and say goodbyes on the pitch and thank all the fans after the game.

“They’ve been excellent to me and backed me all the way.

“It’ll be an emotional day but I’m looking forward to it.”

Having joined the club from Altrincham in January 2012, Redshaw established himself as a Football League player with The Shrimps but now feels it is the right time to move on.

He said: “Things didn’t work out at Rochdale so I dropped out of the league and went to Salford.

“Then it was on to Altrincham and I loved my time there.

“I believe that made me a better player because it made me realise that dropping out of the league isn’t where you want to be.

“Luckily I was offered a contract by Morecambe and I feel like I’ve done well.

“I’ve given my all for Morecambe and I feel like now is the right time to be moving up.

“I’m looking forward to joining Blackpool and it’s an exciting time ahead.”

The diminutive front man also feels it could be an exciting time for the club he is leaving behind, having seen massive improvements at the Globe Arena on a day-to-day basis.

He said: “The club’s moving in the right direction.

“The gaffer and Kenny are trying to improve every day and for three and a half seasons I’ve just seen it getting better and better.

“I only see it going one place and that’s up.”