‘It’s great to be back,’ says Lowestoft Town star

The 25-year-old left Lowestoft due to personal circumstances towards the end of last year but the club's management have been keeping tabs on the former Bury man.

As soon as his personal commitments changed, the Blues made their move and Smith admitted he didn't know how much he would miss life with the Trawlerboys whilst he was away.

'It was an easy decision – I was saying to some of the lads that when you go away from a club like this, and how well run it is, you realise how good we've got it here,' he said. 'It's a very well run non-league club and when you go away you realise what you're missing.

'It's like I haven't been away though and I've always been watching out for their results – it's a club that's always been close to my heart.'

Smith wasted little time in demonstrating the value he can add to the Blues squad, producing a man-of-the-match performance in the win over Oxford City on Saturday.

Few players at this level can match his crossing ability with Chris Henderson benefiting from an inch-perfect delivery to net the winner at the end of the first half.

'This team is as good as I've played with,' added Smith, who left the Blues in the midst of their battle for promotion from the Ryman League Premier last season. 'Performances like against Oxford show what we can do – they were third in the league before the game and we've beaten them.'

Smith insisted he didn't feel envious, despite missing out on Lowestoft's promotion party over the summer.

'I was really pleased for them. I started that season really well but certain circumstances meant that I couldn't stay here,' he said. 'I don't feel jealous at all – I'm really proud and glad to be back. A few things have changed but there's still the same work ethic and we try to play in a similar way.'

Lowestoft are without a game this weekend as scheduled opponents, Tamworth, are in FA Cup action against Southport.