BRETT Pitman would rightfully scoff at suggestions that you should never go back.

Not only did he rediscover former glories following his return to Dean Court in November 2012, Pitman also carved his name indelibly in club history.

His first spell started somewhat inauspiciously as the young Channel Islander was used sparingly by a succession of managers following his graduation from the youth ranks.

Pitman first caught the eye of Joe Roach when he scored four times for Jersey under-18s against Cherries in July 2004 and was invited to join the club at 15.

Within the space of a month, he had scored on his full debut for both the youth team and the reserves before going on to prove himself a prolific striker.

He totalled no fewer than 11 hat-tricks before penning his first professional contract in July 2006 having already scored on his full first-team debut, a penalty against Aldershot in the LDV Vans Trophy.

During his first two seasons, Pitman scored 12 league goals from 68 appearances, including 49 from the bench.

Jimmy Quinn also saw him as an impact substitute, with the lowest point in Pitman’s career coming during his brief reign when he was sent off after petulantly kicking out at an opponent during Cherries’ dismal FA Cup defeat at Blyth Spartans in December 2008.

However, just days later, and after Quinn had parted company with the club, what would prove a defining moment in Pitman’s career occurred when Eddie Howe took charge.

“It is hard to put into words what he has done for me,” said Pitman, in an interview with the Daily Echo following his free transfer move to Ipswich. “He has been everything.

“He gave me my first real run in the team and I can still remember his first words to me. He said if I worked hard, I would play. He has been true to his word the whole way through.

“I know I have been in and out over the past couple of years but the squad is a lot stronger now. I think me and the manager have made a decent team.”

Pitman would be the first to admit he has wised up considerably since his formative years when his frustrations would often get the better of him. His public spat with Max Gradel over the taking of a penalty against Barrow in the FA Cup was a moment he would probably wish to forget.

However, Pitman will take with him nothing but good memories of his second spell, his achievement of having scored a hat-trick in all three flights of the Football League for the club unlikely ever to be matched.

Asked whether the prospect of playing and scoring in all four divisions had come into his thinking ahead of the Ipswich move, Pitman said: “It crossed my mind but, ultimately, it was my choice and I wasn’t forced out of the door.

“The manager didn’t stand there and tell me I had to go to Ipswich. They made me a brilliant offer and it is a great club. I am delighted to be going there.

“For fairytale or sentimental reasons, I could have stayed and may have had a few games in the Premier League and might have scored.

“But I don’t think you can stay at a club based on the fact you may get a couple of appearances here and there. Some people may want to do that but it is not for me.

“I had an honest conversation for the manager. I knew it was going to be tough for me to get in the team and even tougher with the signings we have made.

“The manager said it would be up to me and said he would be delighted if I stayed. He also said he wouldn’t stand in my way if I chose to go because he said he owed it to me. That is something I will always respect him and be grateful to him for.”

Pitman, who has two young children with fiancée Clare, added: “I think Ipswich will do well next season and wouldn’t have gone there if I didn’t. They have a good squad and a good manager. It is a brilliant club and a great set-up.

“My family obviously formed a big part of my decision. I have to look after them and there is an added bit of security with a longer contract which was something Bournemouth said they couldn’t offer me that at this moment.

“It will be difficult to move my family 200 miles but, once you get settled, life goes on and I am sure we will enjoy living in Ipswich as much as we have enjoyed living in Bournemouth.”

Supporters have been taking to Twitter to post good-luck messages to Pitman under a #ThankYouBrett hashtag.

The 27-year-old, who is not a user of the social network site, said: “It is nice to be leaving on good terms and with people being appreciative of what I have done over the whole time. I am proud of what I have achieved in my career here and proud of what the club has achieved in recent seasons.

“I would like to thank the fans for their support and hope they think I have repaid it. I really hope they enjoy the season ahead. I don’t think too many would ever have expected to be in this position a few years ago so they deserve it as much as anyone else.”