New signing Martyn Naylor has paid tribute to the passionate AFC Telford United fans, and insisted: “This was the only place I wanted to go.”

Naylor, who turns 31 next month, was due to put pen to paper on a one-year contract tonight in a deal that brings him back to the club where he started his career.

And, having left The New Saints at the end of last season, the versatile right-sided ace insists there could not be a better time to be returning to the Bucks Head.

“I enjoyed my time there before and I know we’re looking to get back to where we belong – and that’s in the Conference,” said Naylor, who left Telford in 1997 to follow Jake King to Shrewsbury.

“I really enjoyed my time there before and the fans were brilliant – though that was before I went to Shrewsbury, so we’ll have to see what they think now!

“It’s a great little club and it’s where I wanted to go. The crowds are incredible – much bigger than at TNS – and it’s the right place for me.

“TNS was a great club to play for and I had some great times there, but it was time to move on. Andy Cale (the Saints boss) is one of the best coaches a player will have and I was lucky to work with him.

“But playing on a plastic pitch didn’t really suit my game. I’m looking forward to getting started at Telford, I’m still fit as a fiddle and can get around a pitch as well as anyone.

“There’s some good players here, but the competition for places is healthy and I’m looking forward to it.”

Naylor, elder brother of Celtic’s ex-Wolves left-back Lee, made 101 appearances for the Saints.

He appeared four times in the Champions League, scoring last season from a late free-kick away to FK Ventspils, and made three starts in the UEFA Cup.

Naylor added: “I played in the centre of midfield against the likes of Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso when we played Liverpool and that was a great experience.”

By Chris Hudson