AFC Telford United’s Stuart Whitehead is hoping his New Bucks Head homecoming will yield an immediate return to the top flight of non-League football.

The 31-year-old defender has completed the transition from full-time to part-time football by swopping the Blue Square Premier with Kidderminster for Telford’s push for promotion from one division lower.

That represents a return to the ground – if not the same club – Whitehead was forced to leave three-and-a-half years ago following the financial collapse of the old Telford United.

Having signed an 18-month contract, the former Kidderminster Harriers skipper is excited about the challenge ahead.

“I had a fantastic year at Telford last time and who knows what would have happened if the problems hadn’t hit the club because that squad was very talented,” said the player of the season from that ill-fated campaign.

“To be coming back now is fantastic and I don’t see it as a step back in any way. The crowds Telford have been getting are unbelievable and probably more than when the club was in the Conference.

“The team have been going really well this season and there is a chance that we could be back in the Conference next season which would be a credit to the management and the chairman.”

Whitehead admitted bringing his full-time professional career after 15 years – he has also had spells at Shrewsbury, Bolton and Darlington – was a difficult decision.It’s all I’ve known so it’s going to be a bit strange,” he added.

“But I have got a young family now and football has become so insecure because you are only getting one year deals everywhere.

“There was an offer on the table from a top Conference club for two years but you have to think about the next 30 years rather than just the next two.

“Going part-time was a tough decision but if there was one club I’d be prepared to do it for then it was Telford.”