STEVE Parkin pulled off a real coup for Dale this week, beating five clubs to the signature of experienced striker Paul Tait.

The 29-year-old former Crewe, Wigan and Northwich Vics player arrived at Spotland on Wednesday afternoon to complete his transfer from Bristol Rovers.

But not before a late diversion to Darlington for 11th-hour talks with Quakers boss Dave Hodgson.

"I went up to Darlington today," he told Observer Sport. "Dave showed me round the fantastic stadium they've got up."

"But I'd already told Steve Parkin and I just thought it was right to come to Rochdale," he added.

Parkin's desire to add Tait to his squad was revealed earlier this month and the Dale boss is pleased to have finally got his man on a two-year contract.

"Paul is the experienced centre-forward we need to work alongside Grant Holt, Kevin Townson and Chris Armstrong," he said. "It means we will have four strikers who all bring their own individual characteristics to the squad and also means we have good competition for places."

And Tait is happy to scrap for his place in a side he sees going places next season. "There will be a fight on for starting places. That's the case when there's four strikers because usually only two are going to play."

"I'm prepared to roll my sleeves up, go through pre-season and get myself in the team."

Tait was offered a contract at the Memorial Ground, but was unhappy with the delay in the Pirates sorting his position out.

"I had other managers ringing me up asking me if I was staying and I couldn't tell them," he explained. "I bumped into a group of 20 Rovers fans on holiday and they wanted to know what was happening. I couldn't tell them because I didn't know."

"Apart from Rochdale I spoke to Chester, Shrewsbury, Darlington, Lincoln and Livingstone. I didn't want to hang around, so I decided to move on."

Tait is now setting his sights on a decent pre-season and a good start to his Dale career, with some new faces around him.

"I think we've got good prospects," he said. "The manager has brought some new lads in, but you never know until the season starts."

"I was at Bristol Rovers for two seasons and we were one of the favourites both times, but we fought relegation for two years."

"You never know until you get the team together, start playing and see what the atmosphere is like. Steve assures me he's going to get the dressing room right, and at this level if you can do that it's a big plus."

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