Hampton & Richmond Borough might have come sniffing, but there was only one club Andre McCollin was going to sign for when he quit Cray Wanderers last week.
The 30-year-old put pen to paper on a deal to return to Kingstonian on Friday and celebrated by scoring a double in a 3-1 win at Burgess Hill Town to end a run of four straight league and cup defeats for boss Tommy Williams’ men.
Out: Aaron Morgan, centre, has been released and Ricky Sappleton, top, has gone on loan to VCD Athletic to make way for returning Ks hero Andre McCollin
McCollin’s movements have been tracked by former Ks chief Alan Dowson, but despite holding talks with the Beavers boss the prolific frontman only had Ks on his mind.
“I had to get out of Cray. The team was not playing a style that suited me and the league was so poor,” he said.
“The only reason I joined them was because they offered me a job coaching in schools as well as football.
Old favourite: Andre McCollin, who once formed a lethal partnership with Ryan Moss, scores against Cray Wanderers back in 2013
“I’m getting on a bit so have to start thinking of a future path away from playing football.
“But the job never happened, so we agreed to tear up my contract.
“I spoke to Alan Dowson – who has been ringing me every three weeks anyway – but his budget is up to its maximum..
“To be honest, if it came to a straight choice between Hampton and Ks, it would always be Ks.
“The board, the team, the management and the fans are great.
“It is my home and I’m really happy to be back.”
McCollin, who has backed himself to score at least 10 goals in Kingstonian’s 19 remaining Ryman Premier League games, is relishing the club’s push for promotion.
“When I look round the dressing room, there is a decent team here,” he added.
“Some old faces who were here with me before, and some excellent new players.
“It is going to be good. It feels right.
“If we can get through this period of sticky pitches, there is easily enough in the changing room to get into the play-offs.”
Needham Market visit on Saturday.
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