Pratt: I had to leave to further my career (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Pratt: I had to leave to further my career

9:47am Thursday 28th May 2009

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Former Chippenham Town striker David Pratt says he will miss the Bluebirds’ supporters but had no option other than to leave the club.

The 21-year-old signed for Conference South side Basingstoke Town last week after a two-year spell at Hardenhuish Park.

Pratt, who was contacted shortly after the final game of the season, said he was initially keen to stay at Chippenham but the lure of playing at a higher level was too great to turn down.

“I talked to Adie Mings about it and he said I could go and talk to them, which I did, and spoke to their manager,” he said.

“I took a couple of days to decide but then chose to go for it.

“All it is for me is a chance to try and play at a higher level. It’s a step forward. I’m sad to leave Chippenham but for me as a footballer I had to take it.

“It’s nothing to do with money. It’s purely a chance to progress. If they hadn’t come in for me then I would have been happy to stay.

“Chippenham offered me a new deal.

“The fans and everyone are great at Chippenham and I enjoyed my time there. That’s the only downside for me is that I am leaving that behind.”

The former Swindon Supermarine man was top goalscorer in each of his seasons at Hardenhuish Park and manager Mings last week described his departure as a massive blow.

Basingstoke finished just above the relegation spots in their league last season but Pratt says he is joining an ambitious club.

“I know they didn’t have the best season last year but I think the aim now is to get a decent squad together and give it a good go,” he said.

“They’ve also got plans to build a new stadium over the next couple of years.

“That’s purely the reason I left – to see what it’s like. It will be playing against bigger clubs and better players at bigger grounds.”

Chippenham’s most famous striking export is James Constable, 24, who left in November 2005 to join Walsall. He has since played for Kidderminster Harriers, Shrewsbury Town and Oxford United on loan.

He scored 23 league goals for The U’s last season in the Conference and announced his permanent arrival in April of this year.

Dave Gilroy, 26, is another forward to have prospered since leaving in May 2007.

After scoring 55 goals for Chippenham he left for Bath City, where he netted 41 times, before joining Newport County in April.

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