Lee Worgan spoke to Maidstone in the summer but a return to the Gallagher was never a realistic option.

Fans speculated over a Stones comeback after co-owner Oliver Ash teased the possible return of a couple of old favourites.

But with Worgan taking a new job at a school in Sevenoaks, daytime training wasn’t possible for the 36-year-old who joined Chelmsford after leaving troubled Dover Athletic.

Stones chief executive Bill Williams contacted the goalkeeper, who made 289 appearances in five years at the Gallagher.

But it was no more than a chat between two old friends.

“I still had a year at Dover but my studies were coming to an end and I was offered a job at a private school in Sevenoaks,” said Worgan.

“It was an opportunity to think about something more long-term because the whole situation with Covid opened my eyes to how fragile the football industry is.

“I spoke to a few clubs and I kind of spoke to Bill over the summer but it wasn’t really about coming back, it was more Bill being Bill and catching up.

“As soon as he said you were staying daytime training, I knew Maidstone wouldn’t be an option.”

Worgan didn’t miss a league game in his time at the Gallagher, making 247 successive appearances as Maidstone climbed from the Isthmian Premier to the National League.

He won numerous player-of-the-year awards and will always be remembered for the penalty save from Danny Kedwell that clinched promotion to non-league football’s top flight.

He loved his years at Maidstone but also felt it was time for a change when he left in October 2018.

The old saying ‘never go back’ strikes a chord with the former Wales under-21 stopper.

He said: “Chelmsford’s about an hour away from home, and I have to go over the Dartford Bridge and all that, but it’s mentally refreshing going somewhere different with a new support base and a new club.

“As much as I loved Maidstone and always will - everyone knows that - sometimes you know when it’s best to walk away, for everyone’s sake.

“The same thing happened at Dover although there was obviously a lot more to factor in there with everything going on.

“All that impacted my decision and as soon as Chelmsford became an option, I kind of jumped at it.”

Worgan lined up against Maidstone last weekend for the first time since leaving the club.

He said it felt strange but business is business and his late penalty save from Justin Amaluzor ensured the Clarets won 1-0.

It was United’s second penalty in a matter of minutes, with Scott Rendell sending the first one wide.

Worgan said: “Both players went the way I thought they would and fortunately I’ve made the second save.

“I’ve always done my homework on penalties.

“People won’t always mirror what they’ve done previously but I try to look for patterns and we’ve got a good media guy here who sends me clips.

“I tried to detach myself from everything before the game.

“I didn’t go on social media, I didn’t tweet anything, I thought, ‘I need to block this out and get on with the game otherwise you get drawn into it and the memories come flooding back’.

“I must admit it felt quite strange to be playing Maidstone but once you go out on the pitch, your mind focuses on what you’ve got to do.

“But it was brilliant to see everyone and really nice to see all that love's still there.

“I still keep an eye on the club, I still follow the club on social media and I speak to a lot of people because it was a massive part of my life.

“It will always be in the back of my mind and I look at results and see how they’re doing.

“It takes time to rebuild after relegation but it all seems to be going in the right direction again and it’s brilliant to see.”

Maidstone meet Concord at the Gallagher tomorrow.

• Zihni back - for now

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