EOIN Doyle says he will always cherish his special relationship with the Swindon Town fans after leaving the club for Bolton Wanderers.

The 32-year-old Irishman turned down the chance to stay in Wiltshire after finishing as League Two’s top scorer last season.

He plundered 25 goals in 28 matches for Town as they clinched the League Two title in a season curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic.

But the pull of a three-year deal at a club closer to his Liverpool home proved too great, although Doyle says it will be a wrench to leave the Town faithful behind.

Speaking exclusively to the Adver, Doyle said: “I’ve got nothing but love, gratitude and thanks for everything.

“I honestly had a blast and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to live that season again for the rest of my career. To have that connection with the fans is a very rare thing and it’s something I’ll always cherish.

“The fans had a big part to play in us winning the league.

“There were certain games where they helped us dig in and get over the line which has helped us massively.

“Everything clicked in that one season and I’ll definitely be looking back on It fondly.”

Doyle set a club record when he netted in 11 consecutive matches before the turn of the year and Town fans rejoiced when the man they nicknamed Ginger Pele returned to the club on a permanent basis from Bradford City at the end of the January transfer window.

He said: “The fans mean everything. They’ve been great for me with the nickname and the song that went with it, it’s always great to feel loved and I certainly felt that from day one at the club.

“I was happy I was able to produce a few moments throughout the season to help with the singing and stuff.

“I’ve got nothing but great memories of the fans.”