RETURNING Concord Rangers defender Matt Fry says he has rejoined the club to get over his injury hell and to simply “enjoy his football”.

Fry signed for a third spell at the club last Friday, having been a part of the Beachboys successful Ryman Premier campaign that saw them promoted two seasons ago, and he also played for them briefly last season.

Despite playing more than 50 times in the football league for Gillingham, Charlton Athletic and Bradford City, Fry says making the move was a simple one, as he wanted to play for a manager who trusted him and enjoy playing the game again after a host of injuries held him back.

“I am very happy to be here,” said Fry, who will be in the squad for tomorrow’s FA Cup match at Wealdstone. “Danny Cowley is a man that I trust and that is very important in modern day football.

“The way I see this move is it is a real chance for me to enjoy my football. I have had a real nightmare with injures recently and it gets to a point where it affects your mental state and you just think ‘I just want to be playing and enjoying it again’.”

Fry, who turns 24 today, has had an injury hit career to date – having suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his youth, before being hit by a compartment syndrome injury in his calf (a build-up of pressure) in his Charlton days in 2011.

He then had an operation on a hernia while at Bradford in 2012, although he said it was during his recovery that he first considered a move into non-league football.

“I came to join Concord when I was having some physiotherapy work on an injury, and the physio turned out to be a friend of Danny’s, so he put me in touch with him and things went from there."

Fry joined the Beachboys after training with them for a spell and went on to play an integral part in their successful Ryman Premier League promotion campaign.

“It was a great platform for me,” said Fry. “At that point I was in two minds whether to chase a bit of money or just enjoy my football, and that is what I did. And I loved it.”

Fry spent pre-season with League Two club Luton Town and was offered a deal, although the club had to pull out of a deal due to financial restrictions.

Fry said it was a blow at the time but was pleased with how things have played out – admitting he turned down an offer from the Beachboys Conference South rivals Chelmsford City – who Rangers play on Monday, October 6.

“I had a good offer from them and I had agreed a deal at one point before deciding to come back to Concord. It was just the right move for me.”

Fry will be travelling from Kent for each game, along with teammate and former Dartford colleague Alex Woodyard and he said he couldn’t wait to get back into non-league football.

“Non-league football is fantastic,” said Fry. “I really enjoyed my time at the club and I want to do well. I know Danny wants his players to progress and I hope I can be one who does well and impresses as well.”