Steve Hayes insists he couldn’t prevent Matt Phillips from joining Blackpool Football Club.

The 19-year-old winger joined Blackpool on deadline day for an initial fee of £325,000, and Wanderers owner Hayes has revealed he was powerless to block the move.

"We didn't want Matty to leave, but how could we deny him the chance to further his career by moving to a Premier League club?” he told the official club website.

"We offered him a new, long-term contract several months ago but he was reluctant to commit himself and once Blackpool came in he wanted to go.

"Matt Phillips has been a model professional in his time with us and I have nothing but good things to say about him and his family. I wish him well."

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