The 29 year old signed on the dotted line for Quakers on Wednesday, and he’s hoping to wreak havoc in opposing defences as he did for Ramsbottom.

He scored 22 league goals for them in season 2010-11, 22 again in season 2011-12 when they won promotion into the EvoStik League, 32 in season 2012-13, and 33 in season 2013-14.

[caption id="attachment_13795" align="alignnone" width="200"] Lee Gaskell in action against Quakers earlier in the season[/caption]

“Quite a few clubs came in for me, and I spoke to a few manager, including Martin Gray,” he said.

“I was impressed with the fierce ambition he has for the club, and where he wants the club to go. At this stage of my football career, I want to be playing as high as I can, and that’s why I wanted to join a club that is pushing for promotion.

“I’ve played at Darlington three times for Ramsbottom, once in the league last season, in the play off final, and in the league this season. The place was packed every time, and the atmosphere was great. The ground at Heritage Park is quite compact, and with the crowd almost on top of you, then you can feel the atmosphere around the place. If you can’t enjoy playing there, where can you enjoy playing your football at this level?

“I’m looking forward to meeting the fans, I know that they’re very knowledgeable and passionate. I was warned that I might get a few extra followers on Twitter, and I’ve received quite a few good luck messages already!”

Lee was a full time pro before he quit the game briefly because of injury. 

“I started my career at Bury as a youngster, then I went full time at Morecambe. But then I got a bad shoulder injury when I was about 18 or 19, and I dropped out of football for three or four years. I never bothered playing for anybody at all.

“Then I started playing football on a Sunday with my mates at Walshaw in the Manchester League, and my career took off again from there. Ramsbottom approached me, because I knew their joint manager, Bernard Morley, from his Bury days, and so I signed for them when they were in the North West Counties League.

“I had a great time at Ramsbottom, they played football in the way I like, with two wingers putting crosses in, and I scored quite a few goals.”

Lee scored over 100 goals in four seasons for Ramsbottom as they won promotion from the North West Counties League into the EvoStik First Division North, and then after a couple of seasons winning promotion to the Premier Division via the play offs, beating Darlo along the way.

Lee was so prolific that he won the league’s Golden Boot award in season 2013-14, which means that Quakers will have two Golden Boot winners up front, as Nathan Cartman lifted the same award the following season.

“I don’t know Nathan personally, but I know about him. I know that he’s scored plenty of goals like me. I’m looking forward to playing with him and the rest of the Darlington lads, because playing with other good players always brings out the best in someone.”

Lee has set himself a target of at least 25 goals this season – he scored twice for Ramsbottom in the league this season before his move.

“As a striker, I always think that you should aim for at least 25 goals every season, and if you’ve done that, then you’ve done your job properly. I used to have a friendly bet with Bernard Morley about scoring 30 – and I won a couple of times.”