FORMER Dorchester Town star Jonah Ayunga made the trip back to the Avenue on Saturday to catch up with his old team-mates in the county town.

The former Magpies’ frontman, who sealed a dream move to Brighton & Hove Albion from the Avenue earlier this season, was given a warm welcome on his return to the club prior to the Magpies’ 1-0 defeat to Biggleswade Town.

And club chairman Matt Lucas was happy to see the top prospect back at his old stomping ground.

“It was absolutely brilliant to see Jonah,” he told Echosport.

“He was so popular with his fellow players here and he was liked by us all so it was nice to welcome him back.

“Jonah is one of those lads who will never forget what he was doing earlier in the season and it’s just nice to see that if people perform well here, there is always a chance to achieve better things.”

He added: “I think Jem (Mark Jermyn, manager) has been superb this season with regards to bringing on the younger players and our senior players have been excellent in working with the youngsters as well.

“They have been very supportive and it’s been great all-round.

“I think after last season and the season before it’s great to see us competing well in all games.”

Talking about his spell with Brighton to date, former Bridport Youth man Ayunga, who is part of the under-21s set-up with the Seagulls at present, said: “All the boys are nice and everything is looked after, you just have to do it on the pitch.

“The level of care with kit, food, testing and the gym work with extras like yoga and things like that, is great.

“The training ground is brand new and the facilities are unbelievable.

“We played Stoke at the Britannia which was unreal and we have Newcastle at St James’ Park at the end of the season.”

And on coming back to Dorchester for the day, he added: “I have been keeping updates on what the lads are doing and watching the highlights, it was good to come down.”