Blackpool return for Hills?

Last updated : 09 June 2005 By Jack Nolan

Hills: Set for a return to Bloomfield Road

Hills supported Blackpool as a child and was a fans favourite during his time at Bloomfield Road. Blackpool manager Colin Hendry needs a midfielder after releasing Paul Edwards, and the signing of Hills would solve their problem on the left.

Hills joined the Gills in the summer of the 2003/2004 on a free from Blackpool. He was a first-team regular with the Gills, but was more often than not played as a left back, despite being more of a wing-back/wide midfield player. When Jay McEveley signed from Blackburn on loan, it spelled the end of Hills' first-team participation last season.

Hendry told Blackpool's official website, "I have spoken to John and I would love him to come back to this footbalI club. If possible from the footbaIl club's point of view it will be done, if it is not possible then its not possible, but we are trying."

He then went on to say, "John would fill that left hand side berth fairly adequatly for us. He is a big hit with the fans and here and again despite what people have said or written, I can confirm I have spoken to John and we are in negotiations with him."