Striker Amond is flying high at Accrington Stanley (From This Is Lancashire)

Striker Amond is flying high at Accrington Stanley

10:03am Friday 17th August 2012 in Sport

IT has been a hectic few weeks for Padraig Amond, but the striker says it has all been worth it after finally sealing his return to Accrington Stanley.

Having spent last season on loan at the Crown Ground, Amond agreeing a one-year deal with the Reds earlier this week after securing his release from Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira.

The Irishman said at the end of last term that he wanted to return to Stanley but making it happen took many weeks and many air miles – never more so than a week ago when he returned to Accrington to train but then had to go back to Portugal to negotiate his Pacos exit.

“I flew from Portugal to Manchester, Manchester to Dublin, Dublin to Portugal, Portugal to Dublin, Dublin to Manchester in the space of about six days,” Amond said.

“I spent half my time in the airport and missed half of the Olympics! But sometimes you have to go through a bit of hassle to get to where you want to be, and I wanted to be here.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen this summer.

“The president (at Pacos) was just about to change and I spoke to the new president who was coming in and they were really looking forward to the season ahead with me.

“But when I went back in July the president didn’t change. The first week of pre-season the manager really liked me and on the Friday he was looking forward to the season ahead with me.

“Then on the Monday evening I was told the president didn’t want me to stay, it was a case of wages.

“I didn’t train for the last three weeks I was there, I warmed up with them and then had to do my own bits.

“A couple of times I did train when the right back was injured, so I trained at right back. But I enjoyed my time there and it’s an experience I wouldn’t change.”

Amond scored in a friendly against Bolton on Monday but is waiting to see if international clearance arrives in time to play in tomorrow’s League Two opener at Southend.

“I don’t think I’ve looked forward to a season as much,” he said. “Hopefully the clearance comes through and I can play.

“I don’t think anyone saw the best of me last year, I think I can score a lot more goals. I have my own targets in my head. There’s a bit of a bet going on but I just want to score in every game if I can, so that’s 46 I think!”