Dan Pays Tribute To 'A Great Club'

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Dan Gosling was sad to see his St. James' Park career come to an end this week but is looking forward to regular first team football with new club Bournemouth.

The midfielder - out of contract this summer - was not offered a new deal by the Magpies, bringing to an end a four-year spell on Tyneside in which he made just 36 appearances.

He has already agreed a switch to Championship outfit Bournemouth, subject to a medical, and is keen to reignite a career which once saw him tipped as one of the country's most promising young players.

"I've enjoyed my time here but my only disappointment was the lack of playing time. That is frustrating for any footballer," the 24-year-old told nufc.co.uk.

"But Newcastle is a great club with amazing fans. I have enjoyed my time and will always look out for the results.

"Every player wants to play week in, week out, and I am no different.

"I have found a club that suits me, where I believe I can fit into the system well and hopefully I can have a good future there.

"In football you always have ups and downs.

"Things go for you at some clubs, and at others it doesn't. This (Newcastle) is probably one of those things in football that happens.

"It's not for a lack of trying. The competition was good and the season we finished fifth we were winning most weeks, so you can't change a winning team. I know that.

"I've been lucky enough to be part of a great set of lads, and have made some really top friends, both in terms of players and staff.

"I've built some really good relationships but it's just a shame that the football side of things hasn't worked out how I would have liked it to."

Gosling was a regular name on the Newcastle team sheet over the final six games of the season.

It was a rollercoaster campaign for the Devon-born star, who went from out of favour to out on loan, and then worked his way back into the Magpies' side.

That is testament to a professional attitude and dedicated work ethic but ultimately was not enough to earn him a new contract at St. James' Park.

"My character has always been the same - I've always worked hard and kept belief," explained Gosling.

"I've never been the sort of guy who doesn't train properly or takes his foot of the gas if things aren't going my way.

"I've been working hard behind the scenes, came in every day looking forward to training and slowly but surely I got in the team.

"Unfortunately it was probably too little, too late.

"I wasn't involved too much at the start of the season and found it very, very difficult.

"Then an opportunity arose to go on loan for three months, and I had to take that for my own benefit.

"I went to Blackpool, did well, scored a couple of goals and played more than ten games in a row for the first time in a long time.

"That did me the world of good and I came back and was knocking on the door a little bit more.

"Towards the end of the season I found myself in the team, so it's been a bit of an up and down season.

"I've played more games this year than probably the last three combined. So it has been a positive for me and I'm looking forward to improving on that again at my new club."