GARETH HORNER has returned to manage Amesbury Town - a year after leaving.

It was Horner who led the Bonnymead Park outfit into the Sydenhams Premier Division last spring, but he left just weeks later, bringing the curtain down on his three-and-a-half-year stint in charge.

After a somewhat turbulent season, the Blues just about preserved their top-flight status under the interim management of defender Adam Pearson, who has left to sign playing forms for Andover Town.

The returning Horner will work in tandem with another well-known club name Carlo Downie.

Horner said: “Stepping down from the club a year ago was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in football, though it was necessary that I focused on other areas of my life.

“However, having been in a position to return to management, something in all honesty I missed intensely, it’s fantastic to be able to come back and take the reins at Amesbury Town.

“The forthcoming year will be a critical season for the club and we will be looking to establish a competitive squad to continue our development in the Wessex Premier League.”