Legendary goalscoring hero Glenn Ferguson today sent out a message to JJB Sports Premiership clubs — ‘come and get me!’

Ferguson was last night sensationally released by Linfield boss David Jeffrey, despite finishing – and by a considerable distance, too – as the club’s top marksman last season with 23 goals from 48 games.

Jeffrey has Mark McAllister, Paul Munster and Kevin McHugh now vying for the two places up front and is expected to seek another big name forward.

However, he will be hard pushed to find a replacement for Ferguson, who, though now approaching his 40th birthday, is still one of the most lethal strikers in local football.

‘Spike’ — scorer of 534 goals in a glittering Irish League career — won’t be short of offers and Ballymena United are believed to be leading the chase to sign him.

Glenavon and Crusaders are also likely to be contenders for the former Northern Ireland international’s signature, but Ferguson has admitted that he is prepared to speak to anyone as he, quite rightly, feels he still has plenty of goals in his locker.

“I scored 24 goals last season from 48 games so I know there is still plenty left in me,” he said.

“I felt I could play on for at least another season and now it will have to be somewhere else which is obviously disappointing.

“But, you have to move on and now I am looking to find another club. I’m open to offers.”

Ferguson’s former team mate Chris Morgan was stunned by the decision and is expecting to see clubs clamouring to sign him.

“I found it very surprising,” said the Newry City striker. “You only have to look at his record last season alone to see that he has so much to offer. He missed a few weeks through injury and had he played a few more games he probably would have finished as the league’s leading goalscorer.”