Rob Purdie speaks to the Quaker matchday magazine. This article was originally printed in the Darlington v Shrewsbury Town programme on November 6th.

Ambition is what has lured Rob Purdie from Herefordshire to the North East. Having spent five years with Hereford United the versatile midfielder called time on his spell with the Bulls during the summer but the twenty-four year old admits that if it were not for Darlington's ambition he could have been settling into another season with Hereford.

Purdie made a significant contribution to the Bulls returning to the Football League after a nine season absence. Hereford were relegated at the end of the 1996/97 season just twelve months after contesting a play-off final place with Darlington. Quakers sealed their passage to the third division play-off finals and a historic first appearance at Wembley.

The Bulls never recovered from the defeat and were relegated to the Conference where they stayed until finally winning promotion in 2006. Promotion came via a play-off final victory over Halifax Town which Purdie played a huge part in setting up after scoring a penalty kick in Hereford's 1-1 draw against Morecambe in the semi-final first leg. A solid first term back in the Football League for Hereford marked the end of Purdie's long association with the club.

"I'd been at Hereford for five years so it was a big change for me. It was a long way for me to come as well. If it wasn't for the ambitions of the club and what they want to do I may not have come," said Purdie.

"I have pretty much achieved everything I went to Hereford for. We got promotion from the Conference, I've played in the league and was club captain last season. I just thought for the next step in my own career I had to move on and push myself. Here I have to push myself to get into the team and that is exactly what I'm looking for."

Joining Hereford from Leicester City in 2002 Purdie became a regular clocking up over one-hundred appearances. Purdie's ability to play in several different positions made him stand out for Bulls and whilst central midfield is his preferred position he is happy to play anywhere. Purdie's versatility has already been called upon at Darlington with him taking up a number of roles since the season started.

"Centre midfielder is my preferred position because I like to get on the ball. There is a lot of competition in that area but I don't really mind if I'm playing a part in a successful team which I hope we've got here. One of the few places I didn't play was centre-half at Hereford. I wanted to play the last game of the season but we were not doing too well so I daren't ask the gaffer! I've got versatility and I know it will be used. I'm happy with that, be it right back or left wing I don't really mind," said Purdie.

The ambition which bought Purdie to Darlington obviously brings pressure but following repeated high placed finishes in the Conference the utility man is no stranger to this.

"There is pressure but as professionals you get pressure every game. There was pressure back at Hereford so it is nothing new. We finished second in the Conference three seasons in a row. Every time everyone said they'll go up through the play-offs."

"No mater what team you play for there is always pressure. Even if you are down the bottom there is as much pressure because you have to stay up. We have a few players who have gone up from this league with Doncaster and Brackstone did it with Hartlepool last season so they are experienced and hopefully their mentality can push us through," said Purdie.

Kevin Luff