Champions Spalding United will have to do without winger Dan Cotton next season after he decided to make a surprise switch to Yaxley.
Cotton, who scored 17 times for the Tulips as they won the UCL Premier Division title at a canter, is the first player to leave the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field since their stellar season finished back on Easter Monday.
A key man in Pat Rayment’s Spalding reign, the former Stamford ace bagged 26 goals in his first season – getting his hands on the UCL Knockout Cup in the process.
And although he loved every minute of his time at the Sir Halley, Cotton told The Voice that he has to think of the bigger picture.
He’s due to get married this summer and hopes to start a family, meaning he’ll have less time for football.
Promoted Spalding train twice a week and are ready to embark on a step four campaign that will see the squad rack up plenty more travel time on the road.
So when the Cuckoos came knocking, Peterborough-based Cotton felt it was the best move for him.
“I’m getting married over the summer and I wanted everything sorted early,” said the wing wizard. “I couldn’t be doing with all the ‘umming and arring’ that usually takes place in pre-season.
“I spoke to Pat on Monday and let him know my thoughts.
“I couldn’t really commit to training and extra travel – my days have been pretty long as it is.
“We hope to have a family and Yaxley are a club that really suit me now.
“They are on the up and have always been tough opposition when we’ve played them. I know a few players there, including Scott Carter who is my best man.
“It’s a different challenge for me and one I’m looking forward to.”
Cotton can leave with his head held high. He was an integral part of a side that won 32 of their 36 league games this season, finishing with a monstrous goal difference of 100 to boot.
He rates his spell with the Tulips as one of his best in senior football and wishes them nothing but good fortune in the future.
Cotton added: “There are a lot of great people at Spalding United. Pat and Marcus Ebdon brought me to the club and I really enjoyed my time there.
“By our standards, the first season was disappointing overall – but personally I was happy with the goals I scored.
“This year has been incredible and the dressing room was amazing. I’d go as far as saying it was among the best of my adult career – although I probably could have scored a few more.
“Everyone’s situation is different, but I hope most of the team stay together.
“I know they want to win the league again next year and really hope they can.”
Meanwhile, keeper Michael Duggan has agreed to stay at the Sir Halley next season – but the future of defender Adam Jackson is unclear at this stage after he turned down a fresh deal.
