Old skipper taking a break after all

A hugely popular figure at the club after joining the Centurions for the 2012-13 campaign and winning promotion to the EVO-STIK League Southern's top flight the following season, Henry, pictured left with the championship silverware, has announced that he is taking an indefinite break from football but has not ruled out making a return to the Corinium Stadium to add to his 133 appearances.

The 29-year-old, who has also enjoyed spells at Swindon Town, Bath City, Weston-super-Mare, Swindon Supermarine and Maidenhead United, ended last term at Chippenham Town. After originally deciding to take a sabbatical in the summer, Cirencester manager Brian Hughes persuaded him to pull on his boots again to solve a defensive crisis at the start of the season.

After returning for the 4-1 defeat to Frome Town, Henry told the club's fans this week he'd decided to stick with his original plan and recharge his football batteries.

In an interview with the Wiltshire and Gloucester Standard and the club's website, he said: "It was probably silly of me to come back to Ciren because I was still in the same frame of mind. I have been playing Non-League football for 10 years now and there is a lot of travelling and commitment involved. I've got two little ones of four and three and it will be nice to have the whole weekend with the family again.

"I'm only 29 but I just felt like taking a break for six months or so. It might not even be for a full season. If I come back it will be to Ciren but only if Hughesie is manager. He deserves great credit for what he has done for the club on a tiny budget and the team spirit of his sides help them punch above their weight.

"I'll obviously miss the lads but will be back to see them at games and training. It seems odd as two of my mates from Swindon, Chris Taylor and Kyle Lapham, have just joined the club. Going up as champions three seasons ago was obviously the highlight of my time at the club and last season we were briefly at the top of the Southern Premier table after a great start."

He added: "Hughesie always seems to put together a competitive team and I hope that's the case again and Chippenham will probably be right up there at the end of the season. They probably have the two best strikers in the league in David Pratt and Andy Sandell."

A Centurions spokesman said: "He is a big character and will be missed by all. We wish him well in what ever he does next."

Image courtesy of www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk