The 22 year-old former Gillingham forward, has caught the eye of several clubs following an excellent start to the campaign with 16 goals in 22 league appearances. The deal was expected to be completed a few weeks ago, but a niggling knee injury prevented any chance of a medical, causing a delay.
The striker has spoken of his delight in securing the move, but has admitted that there was a potential opportunity to make a return to the Football League. Speaking to BBC Radio Cambridge Pugh said: “There were offers to go on trial, but Cambridge was the first concrete offer and after speaking to Jez George (Cambridge United manager) and how keen he was to get me here, his thoughts of me as a player and the style he wants to play, I wanted to be a part of it so I’m glad to be here.”
Pugh was limited to just nine substitute appearances for the Gills before moving to Cambridge’s local rivals Histon on-loan, where ironically, the forward scored his one and only goal against the U’s. Pugh continued: “That was my only goal at the time, that was a tough spell for me I didn’t enjoy it, but the atmosphere that day was really good and for myself to score was pleasing.”In the summer of 2010, Pugh signed permanently for Welling following his release from Gillingham, after the Kent club were relegated back into League Two. The forward made 50 appearances in his one-and-a-half year stay at Park View Road scoring 28 times and acknowledged that if he was going to leave The Wings, it would need to be for a full-time club. He added: “If I was going to leave Welling it needed to be full-time and obviously a big club like Cambridge has come in and I’m pleased to be here.”
The U’s are currently just outside the Blue Square Premier playoff places and the opportunity to make a swift return to the Football League, is one of the key factors in Pugh’s move to the Abbey Stadium. He continued: “The teams in good shape at the moment, I hope I can add to the squad and it would be nice to get into the playoffs.”The striker’s troublesome knee injury could force him to miss Saturday’s match with Tamworth and Manager Jez George isn’t ready to throw Pugh straight into the starting line-up. George added: “His injury is fine but he hasn’t trained for three-and-a-half weeks. We’ve got to be sensible. We’ve signed Andy for two-and-a-half years not two-and-a-half-weeks.”
Pugh’s much anticipated debut may be prolonged further, but after a three year absence, the striker is making his first tracks towards a return to the Football League. His step into the fourth tier of the English game is one taken by a few in recent history, he will be accompanied at the Abbey Stadium by former Bromley full-back Harrison Dunk, who signed a two-year deal last summer and has adapted very well since turning full-time. U’s fans will be hoping that Pugh can make a similar transition.
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