NEW signing Scott Partridge insists that he has got ambition to match Rushden & Diamonds’ promotion dreams in the Football League.
The Leicester-born striker – who celebrates his 27th birthday next month – moved to Nene Park on a free transfer from second division Brentford after impressing in the reserve game against West Ham United on Wednesday.
He spent two-and-a-half years at Griffin Park after joining the Bees for 100,000 from Torquay United who provide the opposition for his home debut with Diamonds on Tuesday night.
Partridge said: “It goes without saying that the facilities here are second to none. I have been to a few clubs and never seen anything like this. It’s a major attraction for me as a player and I can tell that they are enthusiastic.
“I believe they have got a lot of ambition at this club. I’m quite an ambitious person and I don’t like resting on my laurels.
“I’m looking forward to getting first-team games. I have only been on the bench now and again at Brentford.
“They told me that I was surplus to requirements after the first game this season. At least they were honest with me and said that I wouldn’t be figuring in their long-term plans.
“I played a lot of games for Brentford last season and scored goals. But suddenly things happened and now I’m here.
“I just want to play football again. I don’t see it as a step down to come here with these facilities.
“I would like to think that we will do well. They have just come up from the Conference and probably still learning day in, day out.
“But I’m still willing to learn, too. From the experience that I have had in football I hope that I will be an asset to the club.”
Partridge – whose dad Malcolm played for Leicester City before switching to Grimsby Town – played for seven clubs before joining Diamonds on a three-year contract.
He left Bradford City for Bristol City where he was sent out on loan to Torquay, Scarborough and Plymouth Argyle. Then he moved on to Cardiff City, Torquay and Brentford.
Diamonds boss Brian Talbot said: “We needed a goal-scorer and we got one. We have sold two strikers (Justin Jackson and Warren Patmore) for around 170,000 and brought one (Partridge) in for nothing.
“In financial terms that must be very good. He is a proven third division player which the other two weren’t with all due respect.”