Defender Ashley Eastham joined team Rochdale on Thursday and the 22-year-old is looking forward to life at Spotland under Keith Hill and Chris Beech.
The Dale managerial duo had to fight off stiff competition for Eastham’s signature but after meeting his new bosses and absorbing their plans for the future of Rochdale AFC, Eastham had just one question….where’s the pen?
“I felt the next move for me was the biggest of my career,” said Eastham. “I want to flourish into the player I believe I can be and I am definitely in the right place to do that. I had a couple of offers from some sides in the league above and a couple in this division but Keith and Chris laid out their intentions for Rochdale Football Club and showed a big desire for me to sign.”
“In the early days at Blackpool the manager Ian Holloway really liked me and I had a couple of games in the first team and was told I did well in those games. However, I needed to play regularly and the gaffer said honestly I wasn’t ready at that time so I was loaned out to gain experience. I have had four loan spells, twice at Cheltenham and twice at Bury and I believe those experiences have moulded me into the player I am now.
“As I said earlier the decision to come here for me was a big one and I believe I have made the right choice because I’m sure this club is going to be successful and I want to be a successful player. There is a really good vibe about the place, Keith Hill doesn’t have to sell the club or himself to me because I know the success he has had as a manager. I want to be a part of something similar and I believe he is one of the best managers in this division, he will bring me on as a player and collectively the team will come together and bring good times back to Spotland I’m sure of it.”