Sol Wanjau-Smith speaks about his return to Maidstone United and respect for manager George Elokobi

Sol Wanjau-Smith was never going to burn his bridges with Maidstone United.

The forward was released last summer by manager George Elokobi after two years at the Gallagher Stadium.

But he’s rejoined on loan from fellow National League South club Bath until the season of the season, with Elokobi taking the chance to re-sign him.

Wanjau-Smith, 25, jumped at the opportunity to return and got his first minutes as a second-half substitute in Maidstone’s 3-1 win over Eastbourne on Tuesday.

“It takes a big man to turn around and go back on his previous decision and I really respect George for doing that,” said Wanjau-Smith.

“I don’t think it was easy getting rid of me with how I am in the dressing room and around him.

“We have such a good relationship that when he called I knew I wanted to come back.

“I know a lot of people can burn bridges and end on sour notes but we definitely didn’t do that and that’s why I was more than happy to return.

“We’re probably quite proud men but at a certain time in your life you have to curb that.

“I have to think about my career, George has to think about the good of the club, and if it works for both parties…

“I think some players might have had a bit of a chip on their shoulder and said, ‘Do you know what, he’s released me, I don’t want to go and play for him’, but it didn’t feel like that when he released me.

“In the meeting he hugged me and I just got a feeling he maybe wasn’t too sure at the time.”

Wanjau-Smith heard murmurs Maidstone were interested in bringing him back.

And when they approached Bath, there was only one place he wanted to be.

There’s the lure of full-time football at a club where he has unfinished business after Maidstone reached the National League South play-off