JACK Mackreth completed his long-awaited move to Grimsby Town, before asking: "Why didn't I do this before?"
As reported on www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk, the lightning fast winger agreed a one-year deal yesterday.
That ended manager Paul Hurst's long chase for the former Barrow man, who has been in his sights since a superb display at Blundell Park in October 2011.
Speaking to the Telegraph, the 22-year-old admits that first appearance in Cleethorpes also stuck in his memory.
"I remember my first game at Grimsby – it was for Barrow and was one of my better matches," he said.
"Coming to a big ground with such a good atmosphere was special. It was an experience I'll never forget.
"Sometimes you go to certain places and it just feels right. I've played at a lot of grounds, but whenever I've come here I've felt confident and comfortable.
"Whether that's because the pitch is big or is due to the atmosphere or size of the ground, I don't know, but I feel I can be a big success here on the right wing."
Explaining why he has opted for Macclesfield Town instead of the Mariners on previous occasions, the former Tranmere Rovers trainee commented: "The managers here were after me before – I presume that's from when I played here with Barrow that first time.
"I have been tempted a few times and come close, but last minute phone calls have made me change my mind and it hasn't quite happened.
"I made the mistake of thinking that, as Macclesfield had come down from League Two, we'd go straight back up.
"Perhaps, in hindsight, it would have been better signing for Grimsby two or three years ago – I might have helped them back into the league already, who knows?
"The location has also been an issue to be honest. It's about two-and-a-half hours away from my home, but it's about me now taking a step forward for my career.
"If Grimsby Town push on and we achieve what we're all aiming for, it will definitely be worth it."
