May 6 2007

Tommy Black

Tommy Black admits his Crystal Palace career has ended on a sour note.

Black's contract runs out next month and the 27-year-old midfielder won't be having it extended.

It marks the end of a seven-year spell with the Eagles after Alan Smith bought him from Arsenal for £500,000 in 2000.

Black admits he's been frustrated with just six games in the last two years and is upset how things have panned out.

"No-one wants to leave but I suppose everything has got to come to an end," he said. "I would rather have gone out on a high than the disappointment I've had for the last couple of years.

"It may sound bitter but the facts remain that in the last two years we haven't achieved as much as we should do and I've not played any games.

"I don't feel like I've really connected with much in the last few years. So I didn't really feel part of things when I was walking around with people singing and cheering after the Derby game.

"I've enjoyed it while I've been here but the last couple of seasons have been very frustrating for me."

Chigwell-born Black hopes to re-ignite his career with a new club in the summer and won't forget the happy times with Palace.

"There have still been a lot of highlights," he said. "The play-off win was obviously a good time and it was a fantastic squad.

"When we survived relegation from the Championship was actually a good moment - the party that followed and just the relief of staying up.

"There's been a lot of good times. I've made great friends that I'll stay in touch with and that I'm a better person for meeting. Hopefully I can move on with a smile on my face and there's better things on the horizon."

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