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Former Maidstone United Sol Wanjau-Smith discusses life after the Stones as he settles in at Bath City

05:00, 06 September 2024

Sol Wanjau-Smith is enjoying himself as he adjusts to life after Maidstone United.

Wanjau-Smith was among those released as United made sweeping changes to the squad who reached the National League South play-off semi-finals and FA Cup fifth round.

Former Maidstone forward Sol Wanjau-Smith. Picture: Helen Cooper
Former Maidstone forward Sol Wanjau-Smith. Picture: Helen Cooper

After two years at the Gallagher, the forward returned to his native south west to sign for Bath City.

He’s living back home in Bristol with his family while the other major change is returning to part-time training.

“It’s very different,” said Wanjau-Smith, who scored Bath’s winner in a 1-0 victory over Truro on Tuesday night.

“Moving to evening training is interesting.

“I don’t have to be up too early in the morning, which is quite nice, but eating at stupid o’clock when you get home is quite hard to adjust to. I’m absolutely loving it, though.

“The lads are great, so nice. I’ve embedded myself quite quickly and they’ve taken to me.

“I actually knew quite a few of them already.

“There isn’t a massive player pool in the south west and around Bristol, so a lot of us have played against each other or with each other before.”

Wanjau-Smith is due to face Maidstone at Twerton Park on November 2.

But he’s already bumped into his old club this season.

“It takes a little bit of time to get used to not being at Maidstone,” said the 25-year-old.

“What was really strange was our first away trip, we stopped at South Mimms services and Maidstone happened to be there.

“I didn’t really think about it until then but then it was like, ‘oh, they get on a different coach to me, this is a bit weird, I’m in a different kit’. I definitely miss a lot of the lads.

“There’s a lot of new faces there now - I wasn’t the only one to be released - but that’s football.

“You’ve got to get on with it and I’m looking forward to playing them and seeing a few old faces.”

Bath, managed by Jerry Gill, reached last season’s National League South play-offs, losing to eventual winners Braintree.

They’re a good fit for Wanjau-Smith.

He said: “Before I even came to Maidstone, Bath were very interested in me, and I’ve had a few conversations with the gaffer here before.

“I felt like it was the right move and the right place for me.

“Bath’s a great club, it’s got a great fanbase and hopefully we can have a good season and pick up some results.

“It was nice to go home, too.

“We only train about half an hour from where I live in Bristol, and it’s the first time my family have been able to watch back-to-back games in a long time.

“Even when I was at Hungerford they didn’t come to every single game, so it’s been three or four years.

“I think my mum’s a bit annoyed with me because I’m leaving my clothes on the floor.

“I’m asking her to do my washing and she’s saying, ‘no, you’re 25 now, you have to do some stuff yourself’.

“It’s great, though. The support system I have at home, honestly, I can’t talk about them highly enough.

“They’re unbelievable to me.

“My mum wants the best for me and it’s been really nice just to spend some time with family and friends.”

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