Full-time return
MIDFIELDER Lewis Montrose has left the Hatters to join AFC Fylde, after they triggered a release clause in his contract at Edgeley Park.
Manager Jim Gannon said he was “disappointed” to lose County’s two-time Player of the Year, but insisted the club could not deny a return to full-time football for the popular midfielder.
The additional revenue generated from the undisclosed transfer fee has been added to the manager’s playing budget for next season.
As with Danny Lloyd’s move to Peterborough, we are naturally disappointed to lose Lewis from our squad,” Gannon told the club’s official website.
“Lewis has been an outstanding member of the team, earning back-toback Player of the Year awards.
“Given these achievements, allied with his previous Football League experience and current standing as one of the best midfielders at our level, it is no surprise that he has been offered an opportunity to go full-time at a higher level.
“In January, I worked hard to ensure that Lewis committed to County on a long-term contract and we offered him the best financial package paid at this level by the club.
“Although Lewis committed to the club and believed in our ambition to move forward, he was also mindful of his own personal ambition to play at the highest level possible.
“In that regard we found it difficult to negotiate out of his contract a ‘release’ or ‘buyout’ clause that was granted by the previous manager.
“As a compromise I was able to get the clause significantly increased, and any release was restricted to only full-time teams at a higher level than our own.
“But this only protected the club to a certain point.
“Lewis’ continued progress has meant that it has been difficult for us to stop higher level interest in him, and with the promotion of AFC Fylde, they are in a strong position to both exercise the release clause and place an attractive full-time football and financial package to him.
“I completely understand and respect Lewis’ decision and we wish him every success at the Coasters.
“It has been a great pleasure to work with him as a person, player and professional. He has been an important part of the progress and success we have created at the club, both on and off the pitch, and deserves to reap some rewards for that hard work.”
Gannon is continuing to bolster his squad and says an additional midfielder will be added to the list of priorities, but he also believes there are ready-made replacements within the existing group.
“Despite Lewis being a mainstay in our midfield we are confident that we have an excellent replacement for his central midfield role in the team in Harry Winter,” he said.
“We were mindful of the potential loss of Lewis at some point due to injury or transfer, so we added Harry from FC United in early March.
“He was very impressive in the holding role in our away defeat to FC United and I always felt he would be an important player for us in that role.
“I guess his importance to FC was highlighted by him receiving their Player of the Year award for last season.
“Jimmy Ball was also an excellent second holding midfielder for my team at Northwich, so we do have strong options already in the squad.
“However, we will be looking to add an additional midfielder to our current options and with the funds released within the budget and the additional income from transfer fees we will be also be able to further strengthen the squad.”