Gainsborough Trinity talisman Declan Howe is in hot-form, and is “enjoying” his football in North Lincolnshire.
The Holy Blues’ marksman has scored 21 goals this season, while the official tally reduces that to 19 due to results against Marske United being struck from the record.
He said: “It’s brilliant. I’m getting my goals, I’m enjoying my football, the changing room is bouncing and all the lads are loving it. It’s the stuff you dream of really.”
The Englishman arrived from Ilkeston Town in late September, and has made 29 appearances for Trinity so far.
“I said it when I first came in, I came in to settle, to find somewhere I wanted to stay, somewhere to call a home, and be happy playing. To get 21 goals at the time where I came in, not having a full season, it’s got to be something that people look at and think ‘fair play’,” Howe said.
Gainsborough’s in-form man has scored eight goals in his last seven games, thanks to a brace on Easter Monday against Stafford Rangers.
The 2-1 victory came just 48 hours after Russ Wilcox’s side picked up all three points at Bamber Bridge on Saturday, March 30.
Howe said: “It’s all you can ask for really. Two wins over the weekend, so it’s a six-point weekender and you can’t beat that.”
The victory over relegation-threatened Stafford was a third consecutive win for Gainsborough.
“It’s a little bit annoying because it might have come too late, but it’s great to be a part of and I think everyone in the dressing room would say the same,” he added.
Trinity’s 2023/24 top-scorer heaped praise on manager Wilcox, saying: “He’s brilliant, I love him. I’ve not got a bad word to say about him, he’s a great gaffer.”
The former Scunthorpe United, York City and Farsley Celtic boss arrived in Gainsborough last September, and has seen his team hit good form since the turn of the year.
Trinity have won ten of their 13 games since New Year’s Day, lifting them into the top-half of the Northern Premier League.
Howe said: “We’ve got a nice little break now. Two games in three days is hard on the legs, so it’s a nice break before we go to Lancaster and see what we can get there.”
The Holy Blues travel to Lancaster City on Saturday, April 6.
Feature Image Credit: Yetunde Adegoke