Returning striker Craig Thompson admitted he felt bad to have turned his back on Whitstable Town to rejoin Hythe Town this week.

The man described by manager Scott Porter as 'Mr Hythe' left Reachfields to join the Oystermen in October and scored against Town when the sides clashed in the FA Trophy.

But when Porter made a seven-day approach for the centre-forward last week, Thompson jumped at the chance to return to the club he calls home.

He said: "This is where I belong.

"I enjoyed it at Whitstable but I never had that feeling. I was at Hythe for four years, so I was always keen on the idea of coming back.

"It wasn’t an easy decision because it was harsh on (Whitstable manager) Nicky Southall and the chairman, to jack it in when they needed help.

"Nicky was gutted. He and the chairman were on the phone to me for a little while, trying to convince me to stay. I did feel bad about doing it but I had to look at it a little bit selfishly.

"Hythe’s right on my doorstep. I live in Dover, I work in Folkestone and Whitstable train in Gillingham, so it was a lot of mileage. I’ve got a baby on the way too, so I had to think about that."

Porter said: "Thommo coming back will give everyone a lift around the football club. He’s good in the dressing room and the fans love him, as do all the players.

"He’s Mr Hythe and he jumped at the chance to come back."

Read the full story in the Folkestone & Hythe Express.