RHYS Evans insists he has exited the County Ground with his head held high' and hopes the Town faithful will understand his reasons for joining Blackpool.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper has penned a two-year contract with the Seasiders after passing a medical at Bloomfield Road.

He is looking forward to the challenges that now lie ahead after reaching what he describes as a massive' career decision.

Evans, admits to a sense of disappointment surrounding his departure from Town but ultimately the deal on offer didn't match his own expectations or fit what he thought was fair' following various discussions.

Not that Evans wishes ill on the club he has served for the last three seasons and hasn't ruled out a return one day.

He said: "I spoke to Dennis Wise over the weekend but it was clear that the club was not going to commit beyond the one-year deal.

"That's obviously disappointing. I don't think I am a gamble.

"I felt that I'd given the club every opportunity to make an acceptable offer and that the fans could see I hadn't immediately bolted at the first offer that came along elsewhere.

"But I will phone Dennis to obviously wish him all the best for the new season.

"There's a lot of good lads I leave behind and hopefully they can be back in League One at the end of next year.

"I really don't feel as though I need to go on too much about what Swindon means to me'. I'd like to think people are well aware of that.

"It's my home town, full of family and friends and the football club has allowed me to play 125 or so matches that I hadn't got under my belt before.

"Who knows, one day I may be back? But I'd like to think that the first time I come back with an opposing side that I'd get a decent reception.

"Obviously it's thank you' to the fans and I hope the supporters understand that I have given my all, I've always been able to sleep at night in that regard and I can leave with my head held high."

After consulting with those he trusts and respects, Evans feels he has made the right decision, but only after a tortuous week or so.

He said: "That fact that everything is now sorted and the decision made is a big weight off my shoulders.

"This hasn't been a case of just flicking a coin."

As for the campaign ahead, Evans said Blackpool's new owner, Latvian millionaire Valeri Belokon, was clearly confident about the future.

He said: "He's already placed a £50,000 bet for promotion.

"I now have to prove myself to a new set of supporters."

Town chief executive Mark Devlin said: "Dennis (Wise) spoke to Rhys, reiterated our offer and if Rhys feels he has a better offer then we obviously have to respect that decision."

With Evans having departed Town have been linked with another former Chelsea keeper, Lenny Pidgeley.