JOE Tumelty says he left Hereford FC because he wanted a new challenge.

The winger has returned to Larkhall Athletic to be near his Bath home and is set to face his former team-mates in a Southern Football League Division One South & West fixture in a months' time.

"It got to a stage that I decided I needed a change," said Tumelty, whose goal at Salisbury sealed Hereford's place in the FA Vase Final at Wembley.

"I spoke to Beads [Hereford manager Pete Beadle] saying it was probably best if I had a change of club and explained the situation.

"He wanted me to stay, but didn't want to stand in my way.

"I decided to sleep on it but my mind was set.

"I lost a little bit of the enjoyment of it in the last year, so I thought that by being surrounded by a club I know and playing regularly, it would be best for me to go back to Larkhall."

Tumelty is about to start his final year of a sports performance degree, which also played a part in him returning home.

"I gave up a lot of time last year due to travelling and this is a big year at uni for me," explained Tumelty.

"I love the club [Hereford] and the place, but for me to progress, I needed a change."

Tumelty, who started at Wembley in place of Mustapha Bundu, was substituted at half time following a shocking team performance by Hereford against Alvechurch in the FA Cup last week.

The Bulls were 2-0 down but turned things around after the break to prevail 4-2.

"It was a difficult first half and the game suited Symo [Mike Symons] on the pitch so he needed to come on – I was just the unfortunate one who went off," admitted Tumelty.

The winger added that he struggled to find his natural position in the team.

"I started on the left a lot last season, but naturally I would always come in on the right," he said.

"It didn't suit me, but as long as I was starting I didn't mind where I was playing.

"I came back really really strong in pre-season, but had an average game at Totton.

"I then found myself in and out of the side."

Tumelty added it will be weird to face his former team mates at Edgar Street on October 1.

"I developed such strong friendships with the players, but that's football," he said.