Following the news that David Vaughan's three-year association with Blackpool is to come to an end, Stewart Hudson reflects on his stint in tangerine.

Quiet and unassuming, David Vaughan has always let his feet do the talking when it comes to playing the beautiful game.

Not one for the attention that comes with being a footballer, the 28-year-old has gained headlines for all the right reasons and picked up accolades based on his undoubted talent.

The midfielder, initially utilised on the left of a 4-4-2, joined Blackpool from Real Sociedad back in August 2008, having made the move to Spanish shores to ply his trade under the management of Chris Coleman.

Something of a coup for the Seasiders - he arrived for a fee of £200,000 - the Wales international made the move at a time of rebuilding at Bloomfield Road, following the departure of fans' favourite Wes Hoolahan to Norwich City.

Those boots were extremely big to fill, yet Vaughan wasn't at Blackpool to fulfil the role previously occupied by the Irishman. It was in the middle of the park where he was to flourish.

The arrival of manager Ian Holloway, some nine months later, is when his abilities would really come to fruition, ironically in a Spanish style template that included three players in the centre of midfield. Blackpool's very own Andres Iniesta, Vaughan suddenly had the freedom to express himself and pull many a string in the build-up to an attack.

A product of the famous Crewe academy, Vaughan was fundamental to Blackpool's holy trinity with Keith Southern and Charlie Adam. Small yet tenacious, the midfielder was willing to mix it with the best of them.

His personal fan club has grown ever since Ollie took the shackles off, and his role in Blackpool's promotion to the Premier League will never be forgotten. The division was the perfect platform for him to shine and his absence was sorely felt when missing against Arsenal and Wigan.

A winner of four trophies at the end of his spell with the Seasiders, including a virtual unanimous vote for Players' Player of the Year within the dressing room, Vaughan will no doubt continue to prosper wherever he chooses to play his football next season.

In an age when relationships break down between clubs and footballers in transfer scenarios and past memories become tarnished, Vaughan leaves in the same dignified way that he's always represented Blackpool on-and-off the field.  

A rapturous welcome will always await whenever he returns to Bloomfield Road.