Andy Morrell is not sure what the future holds for him but the good news is that he will still be playing in the Football League next season. The 33-year-old made 43 appearances for Blackpool last season and scored five goals as the Tangerines established themselves in the Championship after a 30-year absence. However, with his current deal set to expire at the end of June, he has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal at Bloomfield Road and there is a possibility he will be plying his trade elsewhere next season. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson spoke exclusively to Morrell as he weighs up his options ahead of 2008-09.
Q:WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION WITH YOURSELF?
A:They have offered me a one-year contract but it is with a 25 per cent pay cut. I have only missed eight games in two years through injury so I was a bit disappointed with the offer, as they have had a good return on me since I signed. The manager has said he can't guarantee me a first team place and I want to play regular first team football at my age. However, there is still some room for negotiation I think, and Blackpool is a good club so I'd quite happily stop. But I would also consider a move if a two-year offer came along with regular first team football.
Q:WERE YOU SURPRISED AT THE OFFER THAT WAS MADE?
A:I thought I deserved a better deal but the manager said contract offers were made on what they think you will do in the coming season and not what you have done before. I understand that point of view but I am not injury prone and I appeared over 40 times last season. However, as I said before I am 33 years of age now and want to play as often as I can and don't want to play 15 games in the next couple of years.
Q:IS REGULAR FIRST TEAM FOOTBALL YOUR AIM FOR NEXT SEASON?
A:I am happy to drop down a division if necessary and am aware that is harder for players over 30 to get two-year contracts these days. If that did happen then that would be brilliant but it is more likely to be a one-year deal plus another year after so many appearances. I feel like a young 33 as I only came into the game ten years ago so there is plenty of life left in the legs as yet. If there was a running competition at the club I like to think I would hold my own and I wouldn't let anyone down if they were to take a punt on me.
Q:YOU HAVEN'T RULED OUT STAYING AT BLACKPOOL THOUGH?
A:I would be more than happy to do pre-season at Blackpool as I think we might be able to negotiate on the original offer a bit more and it is more a case of seeing what is out there. I think I am still good enough to play first team football for Blackpool.
Q:YOUR TWO-YEAR SPELL AT BLACKPOOL HAS BEEN A SUCCESS HASN'T IT?
A:When I arrived at Blackpool I still had one year left on my contract at Coventry but I wasn't getting a look-in and the club sold themselves well. My wife and family were happy to move too and whilst hindsight is a wonderful thing it turned out to be a great decision to move to Bloomfield Road. We won promotion via Wembley in the first season and I scored 20 goals and then last season we survived in the Championship as well.
Q:CAN BLACKPOOL NOW ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP?
A:We only signed three or four new players at the start of the campaign and kept with the nucleus of the side that won promotion. We weren't embarrassed at all and had a decent home record that helped us survive. We play the game in the right way and hopefully the club can kick on from this point.
