While the Boro squad were busy bringing their 2008/09 season to a successful conclusion at Wembley on Saturday they had little inkling their next campaign was taking shape at the home of English football. Steve Morison was signing off his Boro career wit

While the Boro squad were busy bringing their 2008/09 season to a successful conclusion at Wembley on Saturday they had little inkling their next campaign was taking shape at the home of English football.

Steve Morison was signing off his Boro career with a man-of-the-match display before securing his dream move to the Football League while his replacement sat in the stands poised to clinch his own big move.

By the time Morison was lifting the FA Trophy, Charlie Griffin had seen enough - this was the kind of successful environment he wanted to be a part of and, in view of the Bobby Moore statue, the 29-year-old put pen-to-paper on a one-year deal at The Lamex Stadium.

"I spoke to the manager a few weeks ago and it was made clear to me that the club is going places," Griffin told The Comet. "It's always nice to feel wanted and they made me feel like that. Hopefully, I can repay some of that faith in me.

"It was great to see my new team-mates play. I didn't get to meet them but I travelled there with a few friends to watch the final and Stevenage thoroughly deserved the win.

"I think we were in view of the Bobby Moore statue when I signed the deal and I doubt too many people can say that about completing a transfer."

Griffin is well aware that he has some big shoes to fill if, as expected, Morison does finally complete an �85,000 move to Millwall in the next few days.

But 21 goals for Salisbury last season demonstrates he has the pedigree to score goals in the Blue Square Premier and the striker is confident of dealing with the pressure of following in Morison's footsteps.

"I'm my own man - I'm a different player to Steve and I feel I have got a lot to offer as well," added Griffin.

"We had similar goalscoring records last season so comparisons will be made but, as I say, I'm my own man and I will go about the job in my own way.

"There's not any extra pressure from that. The real pressure comes from yourself and your own desire to succeed."

Griffin couldn't hide his excitement at the prospect of playing alongside the likes of Andy Drury and Mitchell Cole with the kind of service they provide to strikers like the former Newport County man.

He admitted to looking on jealously when Boro went to Salisbury in January and left with a comprehensive 4-2 victory.

"There are some great players here and it's going to be really exciting to play alongside them.

"When they came to Salisbury I couldn't believe how many chances they created and it will be nice to be on the end of some of those moves.