BRETT ORMEROD regards Blackpool as the club closest to his heart but the striker will be gunning for victory when Wrexham face the Championship side in tomorrow’s friendly at The Racecourse (3pm kick-off).
The 35-year-old enjoyed two hugely successful spells at Blackpool and is the only player to have scored in all four divisions for the Bloomfield Road outfit, with two of his most important goals coming in play-off final victories to help earn promotion.
Having left Blackpool to join Andy Morrell’s Wrexham on a two-year deal, Ormerod admits it will be strange facing his former club. But he says there is no room for sentiment.
“I have got a lot of friends there and I will look forward to seeing them,” said Ormerod.
“In the way the move came about I haven’t really had a chance to say goodbye so it will be good to play against them.
“Playing against them seems a bit wierd but I am looking forward to it. I have had two very successful spells at Blackpool, probably the most successful I have been at any club.
“I regard it as my my club out of all the ones I have been at because I have been there the longest, and everything that has gone on there.
“It is a club that is closest to my heart if I am totally honest and it always will be, but I am a Wrexham player now and my priorities and loyalies lie with Wrexham.
“Obviously we are playing to win. I want the best for Wrexham and I will do my best for the club.”
Ormerod, who played in the Premier League for Southampton as well as Blackpool, admits victory is not a priority as Wrexham continue their build-up to the new Conference campaign which kicks-off a fortnight tomorrow.
“It is about fitness for us although it would be nice to win,”he said.
“It would probably be different if we were playing them in a cup. It is a friendly though and the gaffer will be trying to get people through the game and give them a good fitness session.
“I have always looked at pre-season games as a fitness thing. Obviously confidence as well if you are winning them is a good thing, but for me it is about getting your fitness.
“I don’t really read too much into friendlies.”
Wrexham have won all four pre-season friendlies so far but Ormerod,who did not feature at Bala Town on Tuesday because of family reasons, knows Blackpool will be tough opponents.
“Sometimes you play some big clubs and it is nice to test yourselves, and I think it will be a really good test for us,” said Ormerod.
“Blackpool are a great team and have got fantastic players. They keep the ball well and it should be a good all-round experience for us.
“I have been very impressed with the lads here, we have got some good young players mixed with some good experience as well, and it is going well at the moment.”