FORMER Swindon Town midfielder Fitzroy Simpson has thanked the club for the time given to developing his son Jordan following his move to Forest Green Rovers yesterday.

Despite recently signing his first professional contract with Town just last month, Jordan Simpson has moved to League Two rivals Forest Green on a two-year contract, with the option of a further year.

With the 18-year-old having been part of the County Ground club’s academy system since the age of six, his father admitted the decision to move elsewhere was a big one but wanted to thank the club and manager David Flitcroft for not standing in the player’s way, with the Adver understanding that no fee was involved, with no compensation or sell-on percentage included either.

“I would like to thank everyone concerned with Swindon,” said Fitzroy Simpson, who is also his son’s agent, with interest also shown by Stoke City's U23 side, as well as several Championship sides.

“David Flitcroft was honest with me, because I have known him a long time, and his main focus, and I totally agree, is promotion back to League One, and he felt that Jordan wouldn’t get much game time with the senior lads he has brought in in that position.

“I think it was the honourable thing for David to do, to inform us and try and give us time to try and find opportunities elsewhere.

“It was a tough decision for Jordan. He put the jersey on but didn’t get on the park for the senior team, which would have been his dream.

“We thank the club for the opportunity and Jordan wants to thank (Academy manager) Jeremy Newton for 12 and a half years he put in, he became a friend during that time, and Alan McLoughlin (U18s manager), for the work he has done with him.

“Jordan is now going to embrace this challenge.”

Meanwhile, Simpson senior is urging clubs like Swindon to offer more clear paths into first team football for young players.

Town competed in the Central League Development League last season, but the elder Simpson, who played for Swindon between 1988-92, would like to see the return of reserve team football, which was how he broke into the Swindon team at the tender age of 17.

“The boys from 18 are having to make a big step into whatever league the club are in,” he added.

“It’s a big ask for an 18-year-old to go from junior football, straight into first team football.

“I hope they can give Flitcroft and the staff the platform to develop these young guys, who are coming up for pro contracts.

“The club have got a great coach in Alan McLoughlin and they have got some great young players there.”

Town continued their Portugal training camp today by playing out a goalless draw against Bristol Rovers in a match consisting of three periods of 30 minutes.