CULLEN KEEN TO REPAY GARY’S BACKING
IT MAY feel like a frustrating campaign but there’s light at the end of the tunnel for Mark Cullen after he penned a new contract.
The 26-year-old forward became a Tangerines hero after netting the winner at Wembley for Blackpool against Exeter in last season’s League Two playoff final.
But life in League One hasn’t been easy for Cullen, who has missed the majority of the season after undergoing surgery on his hamstring last autumn.
Cullen has made just nine appearances this campaign, playing a part in the final five matches, but boss Gary Bowyer has shown faith in the striker, something he’s very thankful for.
“I’m over the moon to get it tied up as quickly as we have,” said Cullen, who extended his current deal until the end of next season.
“I’m really grateful to the club and to the manager for the faith they have shown in me after what’s been a frustrating season for me.
“It’s been a season wasted, really. It’s a short career, so I personally feel as though I’ve got a bit of making up to do.
“I’m really looking forward to the start of next season and trying to put this one to bed because it’s been a wasted one on a personal level.
“It’s through no fault of my own but these things happen.
“It was hard for me to get properly match fit. There wasn’t enough time to arrange many reserve games or behind-closeddoors games to get the minutes in.
“So I was trying to get fit through training and then get as many minutes as possible on a match day, be it five minutes here or there.
“It was hard for me but I did feel like I was building it up and I played 20 minutes or so in the last game, which is the most I’ve played since returning.”