Aaron McGowan: It was a 'no brainer' to sign new Morecambe deal

The 19-year-old full back has underlined his undoubted promise with a string of impressive first-team performances on both the left and right sides of the defence this season.

His form meant The Shrimps moved quickly to tie down a player whose deal was due to expire this summer.

McGowan, who made his debut aged just 16 back in 2013, said: “I’m absolutely delighted.

“I feel like I’ve been rewarded for the all the hard work I’ve put in over the last 12 months.

“I want to kick on now. I’m delighted I know what’s happening with my future.

“It was a no brainer for me as soon as I got the offer through.

“It has been going on for a good month and a half and now it’s finally done I’m delighted.”

McGowan has fierce competition from Laurence Wilson and Shaun Beeley but injuries to both at different points of the season have seen him take the chance he has always craved.

Now sidelined with hamstring problem of his own, he said: “It has been a breakthrough season.

“I always felt that if I got my chance I’d take it and I feel like I’ve done that so far.

“With my hamstring now I’m just working hard to get fit and come back a better player.

“It’s frustrating but I’ve been injury free for 18 months.

“It happens in football and it’s about how mentally you take it and I know I can use it as a positive and come back fitter and stronger.”

His run in The Shrimps side had led to reports the Liverpudlian was being watched by clubs from a higher level but McGowan insists it never took his concentration away from his football.

He said: “I don’t really look too much into it.

“It’s obviously nice getting linked but at the end of the day I’m a Morecambe player and as long as I’m playing games on Saturday at 3 o’clock that’s all that’s important to me.

“It’s about helping the team win games. It doesn’t really bother me, I’m not that sort of lad.

“I’m more about my football. Some lads can get carried away now but me and the gaffer had a chat about it and he knows where I am as a lad and he’s obviously put trust and faith in me and I feel like I’ve given it back.

“Hopefully I can do that as long as I’m here.”

In a way McGowan represents the future for Morecambe Football Club as the club look to produce more of their own players.

Coming through the ranks is one of the main reasons he has an excellent rapport with the Globe Arena fans.

He said: “I’ve got a great relationship with the supporters.

“I think they saw me when I was 16 and I came on against Torquay they’ve seen me develop as a player and off the pitch as well.

“I’ve got great love for the fans here and it’s something that will always stay in my mind no matter what happens.”