HIGHWORTH Town are bringing back Kurtis Sharkey to replace the departed goalkeeper Gary Stevens.

Last season’s number one left the Elms at the end of the campaign after relocating to Yorkshire.

Despite being attacked on the pitch by one of the supporters after their FA Vase quarter-final clash, Stevens has joined Tadcaster Albion.

But manager John Fisher, who is retiring as the Worthians boss next May, has not wasted any time in finding Stevens’ replacement.

“Kurtis is coming back,” Fisher said. “He has played for us before but he was unable to commit because he had a young family.

“But we have spoken and he is able to commit to Saturdays and midweek so it is good to have back.

“Of course, it is disappointing to lose Gary. He has relocated to be with his partner and we understand that.

“It does seem a bit strange that he’s joined Tadcaster after what happened, but they were after him pretty much straight after we played them.”

While Fisher is unable to get players to sign on the dotted line until next month, the veteran manager is confident that the majority of last season’s squad is returning.

The players are expected to report back for pre-season training on July 2 and will be training twice a week.

“No-one has told me that they are not returning – well except Gary,” Fisher said.

“I saw TJ (Bohane) at our six-a-side tournament as he was down to present some of the trophies.

“We had a little chat and he is coming back.

“We do need a couple of players to strengthen, but with the firepower that we have and the back four together with Kurtis we should be in good shape.

“It’ll be nice to win the league in my last season, we will give it a good go, but with Flackwell Heath not going up it is going to be even tougher.”

The Worthians will begin their pre-season campaign with a trip to Purton on Saturday, July 18 before welcoming Melksham Town to the Elms three days later.

Highworth will then head to the Webb’s Wood Stadium on Saturday, July 25 to play New College before former Worthians manager, Dave Webb returns to Highworth with his Swindon Supermarine side on Tuesday, July 28.

Highworth will then end their friendly fixtures with a trip to Somerset to face Western League side Radstock Town.

“We don’t normally travel that far for a friendly, but they asked us to come down to play them when they open their new stand,” Fisher said.