BEN Watson has expressed his gratitude to former employees Bideford as he prepares to return to the Devon club today (3pm) for the first time since leaving them to rejoin Dorchester Town.

Watson, who moved to the Sports Ground from Truro City in October 2014, was Graham Kemp’s final signing as Magpies’ manager before his resignation last month.

The security of a contract played a major role in the striker’s decision to move back to the Avenue, though he still holds Bideford in high regard.

“Bideford were good to me and I have huge respect for their manager,” he told Echosport.

“I enjoyed my football there, I worked hard and got a few goals, and I’m thankful for the opportunity they gave me.

“But in football there are times when you have to make decisions and when Dorchester came calling I didn’t feel I could turn it down as it benefited my football and family.

“It was just one of those things and hopefully I will get a good reception from the people at Bideford.”

Watson has scored three goals for Dorchester in the last seven matches, all of which have come in victories for the county town club.

His most recent strike came in last Saturday’s 5-3 triumph at Dunstable – and he could have had another if the home keeper had not kept out his first-half penalty.

He added: “I don’t normally miss penalties but at the end of the day I hit the target and the keeper guessed right.

“It was disappointing but luckily Jake Smeeton was there to put the rebound in.

“I’ve got the confidence to step up if we get another one and I’m happy to keep taking them if the manager wants me to.

“I’ve scored three goals since coming back, though I could have got a few more.

“I’m getting fitter with each game and I’m confident I can keep finding the back of the net.”

And on his partnership with Nathan Walker, he continued: “It’s been working well.

“He is more of a target man but he has also scored a few goals as well.

“Nathan had to drop back in the last game, though we still had Dan Smith and Bradley Tarbuck pushing forward.

“We’ve got a lot of good players and guys like Nathan who are versatile.”