TIS THE REASON FOR MY GRECIAN RETURN
JAYDEN Stockley has paid tribute to manager Paul Tisdale for convincing him to return to Exeter City.
The 23-year-old striker is back at the club he left in 2016 for a club record fee from Aberdeen and credits the Exeter manager’s influence in his decision.
“As soon as I became aware that there was a chance of me leaving Aberdeen, I had a conversation with Tis,” revealed Stockley, the former Bournemouth apprentice.
“I obviously had conversations with other clubs as well, but it was kind of tunnel vision when Tis spoke to me.
“We got things going quite quickly. At one point we didn’t think it was going to happen.
“There were stumbling blocks but we managed to get it done and I am very happy about that.
“I feel really excited about it and I am thankful to Tis and everyone for pushing it through.
“It was a move that when it came up I was excited straight away.”
Stockley, 23, scored 10 goals in 22 appearances in his previous spell with the Grecians last year and did not think twice about returning to his former club.
“I had my heart set on joining Exeter,” he said. “I have kept in contact with most of the boys that are still here and a couple that have moved on and I have always kept an eye on Exeter.
“I wanted to go to a club where I believe in the same things as the manager and I know that there are good players.
“It is where I have felt happiest and it is no coincidence that it is where I have played my best football. I want to come back here.
“I know it is going to be tough but I want to work as hard as possible to pay back the faith that the manager has shown in me.”