Morecambe striker looks forward to working under new manager
New Morecambe striker is excited to link up with the Shrimps’ manager.
Joe Garner said the chance to play under Morecambe manager Adam Lakeland played a big part in becoming the club’s latest pre-season arrival last week.
The veteran striker signed a one-year deal at the Halo Aerospace Stadium, with the option of another 12 months.
He joined them from Oldham Athletic, with whom he had been listed as being in talks upon publication of their retained list two months ago.
Instead, he opted to join a Shrimps squad looking for an immediate return to non-league’s top flight following relegation into National League North.
Speaking to Morecambe’s website, the 38-year-old said: “I spoke to the manager, (it’s) something I really wanted to do and I’m looking forward to.
“I spoke to a lot of people. The manager’s really highly rated and it’s something I wanted to be a part of.
“After speaking to him, it’s what I wanted to do.”
Garner moves to Morecambe after a career which started with Blackburn Rovers’ youth set-up.
It then progressed to spells with a number of clubs including Carlisle United, Nottingham Forest, Watford, Rangers, Ipswich Town, Wigan Athletic, Preston North End and Oldham Athletic.
That brought play-off promotion at Carlisle, PNE and Oldham, with Garner now hopeful of utilising that experience to help some of his younger-team mates.
“That’s something I spoke about with the manager,” he said.
“I can hopefully bring that to the table, help out and hopefully get a few goals.”
The Shrimps are back in pre-season action on Tuesday, when they visit Clitheroe (7.30pm) before Saturday’s trip to Bamber Bridge.
Garner admitted he was keen to tie up a deal, so he could start to integrate with his new team-mates.
“I think it’s massive, that’s why I wanted to get it done so fast so I can get out there with the lads,” he said.
“These four to six weeks are massive, building towards the season, and (I’m) happy to get it done now and really looking forward to it.
“We’ll be looking to push right on and try and get promotion.
“It’s a tough league but with hard work and a few goals, hopefully we can be right up there.
“I’ve been here before, I’ve seen the place bouncing. The football club’s on the way back up.”