KIDLINGTON’S returning manager Julian McCalmon says he is back for good and wants to lead the club to survival in Evo-Stik South League Division 1 Central.

The former boss has rejoined from Abingdon Town after Ady Fuller’s resignation this week, with the Yarnton Lane outfit enduring a horrific start to the season.

He said: “The whole reason I left the club in the first place was because I am an ambitious guy, and I felt that the club wasn’t showing the same ambition as I was.

“I’ve had a good discussion with them, and they have the same sort of goals as I do, and so it’s great to be back.

“I went to Abingdon Town as they had a really ambitious plan in place, but unfortunately, that’s gone off the rails a bit.”

McCalmon, who took his first training session on Wednesday, says he cannot wait to get started again when his side visit Welwyn Garden City tomorrow.

“The instant attraction is to try to keep Kidlington in the league. It’s something we have to strive for and believe we can do.

“Longer term, the club want to push on. That probably won’t be this year, but they have plans in place to play at a higher level.”

McCalmon knows the magnitude of the task ahead – the team have lost seven of their first eight league games and have already conceded 34 goals, scoring just twice so far.

“I am passionate about this club,” he commented.

“It’s like I’m coming home. For me, it’s a win-win situation. I know I don’t have a pot of money and the budget will be small, but I hope to be able to bring people back with me.

“We have a massive job on our hands, and it will be small steps. Players here will get their opportunity with me, and I hope a change of face will get the best out of them.

“I honestly believe there is massive potential here, and I hope that my character will rub off on the players.”

Didcot Town boss Andy Ballard believes it’s just a matter of time before his side put in a complete performance and blow a team away.

The Railwaymen travel to Yaxley tomorrow as they look to continue their upward momentum in the league.

He said: “I firmly believe a full team performance is around the corner.

“Yaxley haven’t had a great start this season, but they picked up an eye-catching win over Corby last week, so we will need to make sure we put in a hard-working effort to get anything from the game.”

Luke Carnell should return following the birth of his child, but Matty Woodley (knee) is ruled out.

North Leigh manager Craig Dore knows that patience is the key for his young side as they prepare for another tough test at home to Cambridge City.

The Millers have dropped into the bottom two and fell to a 5-1 midweek defeat at home to AFC Totton in their FA Trophy replay

“Naivety gives us a lot of problems in our team and we are making lots of silly errors,” he said.

“With young players, heads drop, but we need to keep working hard.

“We will be patient and keep working, and hopefully results will come in the end.”

Horatio Hirst is set to return from a hamstring injury for tomorrow’s game.

Thame United entertain Kempston Rovers and welcome back Dan James from a three-match ban, but Liam Tack is on holiday.

Boss Mark West said: “Our season has been a bit stop-start. Hopefully we can now start to focus more on the league and pick up a few more points.”

Banbury United bid to arrest a run of six games without a win when they host high-flying Royston Town tomorrow.

Steve Diggin and Lee Henderson are missing for the Premier Division clash, while boss Mike Ford waits on the fitness of Jack Self and Amwe Awadh.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Didcot Tn (v Yaxley, away): from Bedwell, Barder, M Williams, Hayden, Carnell, McNeill, Learoyd, Reid, Alexis, Murphy, Humphries, L Williams, Thomas, McNish, A Woodley.

Thame Utd (v Kempston Rovers, home): from Hill, Mepham, Essex, Lynn, Scott, Sturgess, Martin, A Goss, Gledhill, Mealing, Evans, Ashworth, Jewell, Murray, L Goss, James, West.

North Leigh (v Cambridge City, home): from Sanders, Linford-Pill, Brown, Gunn, Simms, Pinn, Tutton, Landers, Hirst, Seacole, James, Newman, McEachran, Saunders, Stevens, Alabi.

Banbury Utd (v Royston Tn, home): from Harding, Martin, Nash, Wise, Hawtin, Johnson, Mills, Kaziboni, Whitehead, Finch, Browne, Heapy, Bell, Odhiambo, Rasulo, Self, Awadh.