Despite being offered a new deal to stay at Lincoln, experienced striker Jamie Forrester has left Sincil Bank and signed a one-year contract with Notts County. Forrester was the leading goalscorer with the Imps for a number of seasons and he is now looking to make a similar impact at Meadow Lane. The diminutive frontman was on the wrong end of a number of near misses in the play-offs whilst at Lincoln so he is hoping a change of scenery will bring a change of luck with his new club. This is the 33-year-old's 18th pre-season and, as he explained to givemefootball's Mark Shail, they don't get any easier the older you get.
Q:WHEN DID YOU AGREE TO JOIN NOTTS COUNTY?
A:I signed about three weeks ago and we started pre-season training on July 1. It's a new start for me and a new challenge so I'm looking forward to being part of a successful side here next season.
Q:WERE YOU DISSAPOINTED TO LEAVE LINCOLN?
A:I was disappointed to leave but I was attracted by the prospect of a new challenge. They actually offered me a new contract to stay but I just felt it was the right time to move on. '’m 33 now, 34 in November, and I've got to do what's best for me at this stage of my career. You never know, this may be my last contract.
Q:IT WAS A TOUGH SEASON FOR LINCOLN LAST YEAR, WASN'T IT?
A:We had a very difficult start and were actually bottom of the table for a while but when Peter Jackson arrived we managed to start to turn things around. Even though we ended the season in mid-table, we actually finished the campaign very strongly and hopefully they can continue that form into the new season. Peter wanted me to stay at Lincoln but I just felt a fresh challenge was what I needed.
Q:WHAT ARE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF NOTTS COUNTY?
A:Well, they are a big club with a big stadium and in many ways they have been under-achievers for the last five or six years. I'm happy to be here and hope we can do something next season. The division looks to be more of a level playing field this time round because there doen'’t seem to be so many big-spending clubs that were in the league last season – teams like Peterborough and MK Dons.
Q:HOW LONG WOULD YOU LIKE TO CARRY ON PLAYING?
A:I'd like to play for as long as I can. Obviously when you get to my age you have to take things season-by-season but I feel as fit as I've done for a number of years. I suppose when you are a striker it all comes down to how many goals you score. You only have to look at Dean Windass, who is still scoring goals at nearly 40. He's a role model for us older players.
Q:AND I BELIEVE THIS IS YOUR 18TH PRE-SEASON?
A:Yes, and I can tell you they don't get any easier. It's tough but it's what you get out of it at the end that matters. Very few players look forward to the first few weeks of pre-season training but you feel the benefits once the matches start. It's all part of being a footballer – what's that saying – a necessary evil.
