Macclesfield Town's player-of-the-season Sam Wedgbury has secured his dream move back into the Football League after agreeing a deal with League One Stevenage.
The 24-year-old, who signed for The Silkmen from Sheffield United in 2010, made 100 league appearances for the club before turning down a new deal at the end of this season.
The midfielder was sought-after by other Football League clubs as soon as the season finished and he was looking to return to the professional leagues when his contract expired.
Wedgbury will be looking to build on this season’s achievements, where he won the player of the year and players’ player of the year awards, at a higher level.
“I’ve got ambition and I wanted to go to the highest level possible,” said Wedgbury.
“Macc did offer me another contract but, not to be disrespectful, I have to weigh up my options; I have to think financially as well.
“I want to force my way into the Stevenage team as quickly as possible and then go as far as I can.
“I see myself playing in the Championship at the end of next season and if I can get 30 to 40 games in.”
Wedgbury began his career with non-league Worcester City before securing a move to Sheffield United in 2006.
After spending time on loan at Hungarian giants Ferencvaros, he returned to the UK only to eventually be released.
After signing for Macc, he had a short loan spell at Altrincham, before returning to fight for his place in the Silkmen’s first team.
He made a total of 116 appearances for Macc, scoring two goals, in his three-year stay.
Wedgbury believes his hard work both off and on the pitch has been the catalyst for his move.
“Obviously I am really happy because it is a big opportunity for me. I’ve worked hard and always been dedicated.
“It is a good league next season, a tough league, but I always want to play at the highest level.
“As soon as the season finished I had interest from three or four different league clubs. There was also five or six Conference clubs but I wanted to play at the highest level possible.
“I didn’t want to do the naughty on Macclesfield, so if I was going to play in the same league it would have been at Macc.
“There were talks of another League One club coming in but I wanted it done and dusted as quickly as possible.”
Wedgbury will be widely remembered by the Silkmen faithful for his goal against Lincoln City in 2011.
His last-minute volley was crucial in securing Macc’s league status that season.
Despite leaving, Wedgbury is thankful to the fans and backroom staff alike, and says he would like to represent the club again someday.
“I’d like to thank all the fans, they have been brilliant over the three years and I am sad to be going.
“Hopefully I will be able to come back and represent the club again sometime, but as one door closes, another one opens.
“I’d like to thank Etch [Paul Etchells, kit man], he’s been brilliant. He is one of the good guys, like all of the backroom staff that goes unnoticed.
“Also Julie and Tracey in the office and the chef, they have all been brilliant.”
THERE was still no further update on Macc’s new manager as the Express went to print on Tuesday – eight weeks on from Steve King’s sacking at the Moss Rose.
