BRIDGWATER Town midfielder Kurt Robinson has described how he has “fallen back in love with football” over the course of his season with the Robins despite the side’s relegation into the Western League.

The 26-year-old, who joined the club in pre-season after moving to the area to work for Wessex Water, has been one of the more experienced members of a young side that gained just 10 points in a difficult season but spoke fondly about his first year at Fairfax Park.

“I have really enjoyed it,” he said. 

“Having been out the game for five years it has meant a lot to me to get back playing and I have been delighted to do so at such a good club.

“There are some great people here and I have made some great friends through the course of the season.

“I did not expect to be one of the wiser heads, but it has fallen that way so I have been trying to offer guidance to our young players where possible in order to improve their confidence.

“It has been a difficult season but I have done my best to help them.”

The Robins failed to gain a single point in 2017 despite occasionally encouraging performances, with Robinson attributing their poor results largely down to the lack of experience in the dressing room.

“We have not got as many technically gifted players as the other teams in this league, and we have shown our inexperience at times as well,” he said.

“There have been numerous occasions where we have thrown away points in games where, if we had a bit more experience, we may have seen it out.

“We need to be mentally stronger and make sure we are able to learn from our mistakes rather than letting them affect us.”

Town’s youngsters have been somewhat thrown in at the deep end this season, but Robinson echoed Dave Pearse’s belief that this could benefit them in the long run.

“It is a high level for them, which will help for next season, and the standard of some of the teams in the league has been a bit of an eye-opener for me personally too.

“The season ended just as I felt I was hitting my stride, which was a shame, but we need to make sure we are ready to go for next season, which will not be an easy one by any means.”

The former Ipswich Town and Northampton Town player has played under three different managers - Craig Laird, Phil Hucker and Dave Pearse - in his first season with the Robins, which he admitted has “made life tough.”

Despite the difficulties that come with a change in the dugout, Robinson remains on good terms with all three previous managers and was full of praise for Pearse, who will share managerial duties with Karl Baggaley next season having taken charge on an interim basis for the final six games of this campaign.

Speaking about his new boss, Robinson said: “You would not know he has not managed before.

“His man-management has been fantastic, especially with the older guys - he has kicked my game up a notch since taking over.

“Dave is not afraid to speak his mind and he is very open and honest with all of us, which I think is the best way to be.

“He is different to our previous managers, but he knows how to get the best out of people and has created an environment where everyone has been fighting for their place.”

The midfielder did not confirm whether he would be staying at the club next season but stated that it is his aim to do so after a season which, for Robinson at least, has been more enjoyable than results may have suggested.