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02 april 2002
Thanks.

31 march 2002

Hello from the North West, as you all will of heard and read by now I'm on loan to Preston North End till the end of the season. A loan deal wasn't really what I wanted and have turned down four clubs over the past two weeks, but when Preston came in it seemed the right thing to do.

After speaking in depth to my Dad, who represents me, and some members of the current Dons squad and the fact that I'd got the message that I wasn't going to play for Wimbledon's first team again, I decided that going back to Preston for the fourth time in eleven years was the right move. I've agreed to stay on loan to the end of the season including the play-offs if PNE reach them, the only condition of the deal is that should Wimbledon get to the playoffs and meet Preston I am ineligible to play.

On the football side of things, both clubs PNE and the Dons, had good results yesterday. With Coventry slipping up on Friday night the chasing pack have closed in even more. Preston are only 1 point off now and I'll be giving it all (as usual) up here to hopefully help reach the top 6. I was on the bench yesterday and came on for the last 15 minutes of the game. Portsmouth dominated the first half but we kept them at bay and then we took the game to them in the second half and Clyde Wjinhard scored a great volley to put us one up then earned a penalty that Graham Alexander dispatched no problem.

I got a great reception from the fans up here, as most remember my time here 7 years ago, but apparently also had my name sang on numerous occasions down at Selhurst by the Dons fans. Willo rang me and told me and I have to say I'm gutted not to be involved with Wimbledon but it was a fantastic feeling I got when he told me about the singing. Thanks to you all.

I was pleased to see Lionel on the score sheet, I knew it wouldn't be long and I'm sure he'll make good my prediction of "that boy will go all the way to the top".

Of the other loan deals made on deadline day, Wayne Gray notched for Brighton. He's starting to get a name for himself and I hope he continues his good run of form. I don't know how many people looked at the Birmingham score and saw the name 'Hughes' scoring twice. I did and thought that our own Hughesie had made a dream debut with a brace. It turned out to be Bryan Hughes but apparently Michael Hughes was very influential in that game. Paul Robinson like me I think was on the bench but I'm sure we'll hear his name before the end of the season comes.

After the game yesterday, the manager, Kelham O'Hanlan took the whole squad to a hotel where we ate the right foods and had a session in the pool. We stayed overnight and were allowed home today, Easter Sunday, but are preparing to travel to Barnsley tomorrow. The are in the bottom 3 and will be fighting for their lives, there's just no easy games left. Since 1992 I've never failed to score in a season but I'm definitely leaving it late this season. I hope to notch one soon and hope the Dons fans can see my name and feel a little proud. So it's back to my Hotel room today that's going to be my home for 1 month, sounds good but believe me the novelty wears off after going through the menu for a sixth time!

On a final note, the move did come all of a sudden, I found out on the 4th tee at Wentworth during the club golf day, won by Neal Ardley by the way I finished mid table-ish, and I had to make a decision quick. I hope everyone at Wimbledon understands that my days are numbered at Selhurst and I had to play again to prove to everyone including myself that I'm back, that's why I came up North. The fans, players and staff all were superb during my time there and although I've not gone totally it looks inevitable. Even if I wasn't going to play against Barnsley on the 21st April at Selhurst I had planned to walk up to the fans after the game and applaud them all, as it's happened I might not be there on that day but hopefully I'll be welcomed back if wherever I end up meets Wimbledon.

Thanks.

Gareth