In a summer filled with familiar faces returning to WD4, not many are more memorable than Kyle Connolly. The 31-year-old is back at The Orbital Fasteners Stadium after first winning Langley hearts in a spell between 2019 and 2022 that featured 58 appearances.

He cites an early conversation with manager Steve Heath, who provided evidence of the strong squad he was assembling, as crucial in his decision to come back and is impressed by what he’s seen from the gaffer so far.

“The pool of players Steve spoke to me about early got me initially interested. Experience, local lads who love a pint... What more can you ask for?

“It's my first time working under Steve but so far he's been honest and clear from our first chat with his plans and expectations.”

He previously left off the back of a 20th-placed finish in the Southern Football League Premier Division Central (Step 3) in the 2021/22 campaign, but two relegations have followed and the club now find themselves at Step 5.

Connolly, however, believes that the club have come on leaps and bounds since he was last here, even if they are competing in a lower league.

“Despite being two levels lower, the board have put a lot of effort into the overall image of the club. There are some incredible volunteers that allow the club to run professionally.”

Connolly was part of the Leverstock Green side that narrowly avoided the drop at the expense of Kings last season, scoring in their decisive final day victory over AFC Dunstable. He pinpointed squad camaraderie as a key area where his new side must improve in order to experience improved fortunes this time around.

“Togetherness on and off the pitch is a huge factor to a successful team.”

A storied career already includes spells at Hemel Hempstead, with whom he won the 2013/14 Southern League Premier Division, and Leighton Town, where he won the double in 2022/23.

So what is there left to achieve and what continues to drive Connolly to carry on?

“Great question. My wife wanting me to retire & my kids wanting me to continue! As you get older, you realise promotions don't happen often so I'm going after as many as I can before the legs stop working.”

He’s already made his mark, scoring twice in his team’s opening day victory over Wormley Rovers, and if he continues in that fettle then there will be plenty for the Kings Langley fans to get excited about.

Kyle is sponsored by CER Ltd

This interview has been taken from Saturday's Digital Match Programme, available to download now.