OF all the ‘crimes’ Martin Allen committed in the eyes of Eastleigh fans, letting go of left-back Michael Green was one of the biggest.

But a fortnight, as they say, is a long time in football.

On February 9, Green had been ushered towards the Silverlake exit door, told he would not feature in Allen’s plans for National League domination next season.

Two weeks later Allen is history and Green has been welcomed back with open arms to the place he calls “home”, ready for Saturday's tough test at fifth-placed Dover Athletic.

Had two ex-Spitfires, Paul Doswell and Daryl McMahon, had their way, Green would have moved on to pastures new by now.

The Lymington-based 27-year-old was considering offers from Doswell’s Sutton United and McMahon’s Ebbsfleet United, but was in two minds about committing himself elsewhere.

Then came the moment that Green – a veteran of more than 250 Eastleigh appearances - had been dreaming of.

Just hours after Allen’s sacking, he answered his phone to find Spitfires’ chairman Stewart Donald on the other end of the line.

“Once I saw the manager had gone, I was thinking about going back to Eastleigh and I was going to speak them anyway,” said Green.

“But then I got a phone call out of the blue from Stewart and I’m buzzing to be back. I never wanted to leave in the first place."

During Allen’s final game, Tuesday’s dire 1-0 home defeat by Macclesfield, familiar chants of ‘Green-er, Green-er!’ rang out from the ‘Shed’ end of the ground.

“I went and watched the game and they were chanting when I walked behind the goal,” Green laughed.

“I’ve got a good relationship with the fans and a lot of people at the club and that’s why I wanted to stay.

“I missed quite a bit of Tuesday's game just walking round the ground, talking to people, and a lot of the fans said they wanted me back.

“Eastleigh’s home to me. My mum and dad go to every game and it’s just lucky I hadn’t signed for anyone else.

“I almost signed for Sutton last weekend and I spoke to Ebbsfleet a few times. I wasn’t too sure what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to rush into a decision for the final two months of the season.

“I’ve signed for Eastleigh to the end of this season and the idea is to play well and see if I can earn another contract.”

Following Allen’s departure, Richard Hill, the man who masterminded the Spitfires’ Conference South title win three years ago, has been appointed director of football and taken temporary charge of team affairs.

Assisting him are recently returned striker Craig McAllister, midfielder Ben Strevens and head of youth Lee Peacock, ensuring the spirit of 2013/14 is back in the Eastleigh air.

“I think that’s the aim,” smiled Green. “To get the old feel back to the club.”