Former Norwich City midfielder David Bell has given King's Lynn Town a massive boost by turning his back on the professional game for a second time.

Gary Setchell's prayers were answered at the weekend when the classy midfielder – who joined semi-professional Lynn after having his contract at League One Notts County cancelled by mutual consent in January – rejected offers from a string of full-time clubs including Dagenham & Redbridge to commit to the Linnets for next season.

The 30-year-old's decision has delighted the Lynn fans who he wowed with a string of sensational displays at the back end of last term. And his manager admits he is as pleased as anybody that his prized asset will remain at The Walks for the 2014/15 campaign.

'To say I am delighted would be a total understatement,' said Lynn's boss.

'David is a great player with bags of experience and know how who some of the younger lads will be able to learn a lot from. Make no mistake lots of other clubs were very interested in taking him.

'Him deciding to stay here I hope sends out a signal of what we are trying to achieve. I am well pleased with the news as it's a major piece of next season's jigsaw now in place.'

Bell has been transferred for a combined total of more than £1million during a career which has also seen him feature for Coventry City and the now defunct Rushden & Diamonds. He scored just once in 14 appearances for Lynn but it was his overall play, and excellent ability to create goals, which made him such a hit among his own players.

Left-back Jordan Yong was one team-mate who posted a message on Twitter suggesting the playmaker's return was 'massive' for all connected with the club. So it's no surprise that Setchell – widely recognised as probably the main reason the well-off Bell has shunned more lucrative offers to play his football elsewhere – feels the big name's show of loyalty will give the rest of his squad a summer pick-me-up.

He added: 'He's one of the most honest lads I've ever known. He's always been the same since he was 16.

'It was never about the money with Belly. It was about ambition and wanting to do better than we did last season.

'We couldn't compete with clubs like Dagenham, Wrexham and whoever else financially. So I had to sell Lynn to him. I'm so glad we've kept him because I think it will give every other player in the squad a massive lift.'