Returning midfielder Bekir Halil says the “club with special people” was a big factor in coming back to Hinckley AFC – as was new manager Courtney Belford.
The combative midfielder, something of a fans favourite for his wholehearted efforts in a Hinckley shirt during his previous spells, is back after time at Worcester City, Romulus, Westfields and Nuneaton Borough.
And he’s looking forward to building on the 31 appearances he’s made for the club so far.
He said: “The club’s full of special people. When it’s rocking it’s a great place, but it was hard for people last season. I want to give something back to them.
“I wear my heart on my sleeve, I’ll always give everything I’ve got. I’m back to prove a point and get this club back up towards the higher end of the league.
“I had a good relationship with the supporters during my previous spells and after a tough time last season they want to see people that care.
“For me it’s about playing for the club. I always wanted to come back but it was about the right manager coming in and the gaffer’s been a big influence in me wanting to come back now.”
Having played at a higher level since leaving, he feels he’s learnt from being around squads in higher leagues.
But he says he’ll never change the type of player he is – and still wears his heart on his sleeve.
“Nothing changes with me. I’ll still work hard, which is the basis of any player, and I’ll put in an extra ten percent because of my affiliation for the club.
“We’ll have full effort in every game we play, it’s just about adding that quality you need to win things. We’ll need that effort because it’s a very workmanlike league and the quality comes in more at the higher end of it.”
“You might have to explain the new yellow card rule 10 or 15 times before it sinks in though!”
The 28-year-old admits he struggled with injuries last season, but has no expectation of only playing a bit part this term.
“I’ve still got three or four good years left in me. Clubs haven’t quite worked out for me since I left last time and want to help us give fans something to shout about.
“There are good teams in this league but we’ll get hard working, honest lads. When we get them in, conversations will be about giving everything for the club and every game we play.
“We always used to have big games to look forward to, be it important league games or FA Cup and Vase runs, and we want that back.”
