MICHAEL Walker insists that there are no hard feelings following his abrupt Weymouth exit, and thanked a whole host of figures at the Bob Lucas Stadium for his time at the club.

The defender left the Terras by mutual consent after the first season of his original two-year deal, a season that he admits was hard to catch-up with following a hernia operation during pre-season.

And although he did not enjoy the most fruitful spell of his career with Weymouth, he wished his hometown club well for next term and insists there is no bad blood.

“To be quite honest it didn’t work out,” Walker told Echosport.

“I haven’t really got a bad word to say about the club. I have got to thank them for what they have done and give a special thanks to Nigel Biddlecombe, Tony Greaves and Alan Pepperell in speaking to me and coming to the agreement that I left, and they didn’t stand in my way.

“The rapport has been brilliant and I’m really pleased that there are still those kind of blokes in football.

“I also want to thank the coaching staff, Jason Matthews and all the players for my time there. The way that Jase dealt with me was superb.

“I’d also like to thank Brendon King for bringing me to the club because it was down to him.
“Brendon was fantastic until he got the sack, and also a special thanks to Micky Greeno because he has been superb.”

Walker has since returned to Poole Town, the club he previously captained to win Southern League South & West title, on non-contract terms.

Looking back at last term following his operation, the former Terras’ defender admits it was tough to slot straight back into competitive football without much preparation.

He added: “Pre-season is vital for any player and I didn’t get that, I didn’t come back until the end of November and it is a case of catch-up.

“I’m honest enough to realise that without any pre-season I’m not going to be at the same  fitness levels of the other lads.

“I have started pre-season myself this year. I’ve gone out six weeks before it all begins to make sure I’m flying again next season.

Walker is keen for a successful spell with the Dolphins next term in their challenge for promotion, but believes that personally he does not have to prove he still has the capabilities to be a top performer in the division.

He added: “Everyone is entitled to the opinions they have, that’s why the fans pay the money they pay to watch.

“Everyone has their views and I’m like Marmite, you either love me or you hate me at the end of the day.

“It’s not a case of proving to anyone what I can do. I have goals and levels myself and I know what I need to do to put things right, and I can assure that next year I am going to be hungry, fit, and I am going to be ready for a league that is going to be highly competitive.”

And although brother Nathan Walker made his ambitions perfectly clear to finish above Weymouth with Dorchester next term, Michael takes a much more reserved approach when looking at his return to the Bob Lucas Stadium with Poole.

He claimed: “It’s another game. Nathan has a different opinion to me but that’s his opinion, if people had the same opinions then the world would be a boring place.”