NEW Chatteris Town boss Steve Taylor has revealed the love for his hometown club was enough to make him end his three-year exile from management.

His return to the Lilies comes 11 years after guiding them to a fifth-placed finish in the Ridgeons First Division.

Taylor left West Street in 2000 and became one of the most sought after bosses in the Ridgeons League after gaining promotion to the Premier Division with both Ely City and Haverhill Rovers.

The 44-year-old took charge of Wisbech Town in 2008 but resigned from a rocky spell with the Fenmen after just 157 days.

Taylor said: “I was looking forward to being Wisbech boss but from day one it just didn’t work out.

“It was a shame but it made be become disillusioned with football and I said that my next job would have to be right for me. After 13 years in management I needed to recharge my batteries so it was nice to have a break, play some golf and watch a few games.

“I’m a Chatteris lad so the town and the club is in my blood. I only left because I wanted to get promotion to the Premier Division but even then I’d always look for Chatteris’ result first.

“I’m desperate to get the club back into the Ridgeons League - we’re a sleeping giant that should be at that level.”

Taylor replaces Jimmy Unwin - who led Chatteris to a seventh-placed finish in the Kershaw Premier League last season - at the helm. Unwin resigned in May to take a full-time post with Norwich City’s academy.

Taylor, who said he “helped out” at Somersham Town last season, added: “Jimmy played for me but was unlucky with injuries and went into management.

“He did a tremendous job and all I want to do is steer the ship from Step 7 of the non-league pyramid up to Step 6. We just need the town to get behind us.”