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By Alex Rae

Ryan Lowe is prepared to commit his future to Tranmere Rovers FC – providing those sentiments are shared by the club.

The 35-year-old, who plundered an impressive 20 goals despite Tranmere’s relegation to League Two last season, has 12 months left on his current deal.

But Lowe says he is happy to sign a new contract at a club that has a place in his heart, if it is right for both him and his young family.

“I came home from MK Dons for football reasons and family terms,” Lowe said.

“It is well reported that the club are making cuts and there are going to be cutbacks but I want to stay at this football club provided I am wanted.

“I was one of many players who were sobbing their eyes out on the last day and it is still hurting me now to be honest.

“It’s the third time I’ve been at a club that has been relegated but this one was very painful and I don’t ever want to feel it again. Not only for me but my family suffer as do the fans.

“I was a part of the team that got relegated, it doesn’t matter that I scored 20 goals, I take responsibility as do the other lads.

“I’m not sure what was the catalyst for us going down, may be the off-the-field distractions, the proposed takeover or just players under-performing and not giving enough but I won’t blame anyone in particular.

“The club has a place in my heart but on the other hand the club needs to have a place in theirs for me.

“Bottom line is that I want to stay at Tranmere and all I am asking for is a bit of commitment from the club and I will sign tomorrow.

“Obviously that all has to wait for the new manager to be installed because he may not want me but at the end of the day I’m 35, I’m not getting any younger and I have to do what is best for me and my family.”

Rovers were relegated to the bottom tier of the Football League for the first time in 25 years on the final day, and while work continues behind the scenes to start afresh there is much still to be sorted.

A new manager is yet to be decided and Lowe highlighted the need for changes in the coaching set-up whoever takes the helm.

“John McMahon was doing a lot of the jobs himself and he needed help,” Lowe added.

“Whoever comes in then it is important that there is some investment for bodies on the coaching staff.

“You look at some of the other teams and they have an assistant manager, first team coach and a development coach.

“I’m not saying Tranmere will go out and do that because there are budget constraints there but the need for a proper recruitment team and a few coaches is clear.

“It is hard to manager 20 or so players so if the club are going to start fresh that is one of the areas that needs looking at.”

While the team ultimately lost their battle with relegation, Lowe was keen to thank the fans for their undying support of the club.

He continued: “I have a great relationship with the fans, they have been brilliant with me.

“There are always going to be some ups and downs and that is rightly so because they pay good money to come watch us and they have stuck by us through thick and thin.

“It hasn’t been good enough from start to finish from the players but the fans have been awesome.

“Everywhere I go there are positive comments from the fans and that means a lot. I just hope the supporters can appreciate that I want what is best for me and my family and I just want a bit of commitment from the club to reflect the same commitment that I will show.”