STEVE King insists he is far from finished after stepping away from football to focus on other commitments.

The defender has been at Concord Rangers for 10 years but will not start the season at the Aspect Arena this time around.

Having recently moved house to Billericay, King discovered a week later that he and his wife were to become parents.

That, combined with a job in the fire service, means King has little time for football.

But he says the door remains open for a return in the future.

“At the moment it is the right call,” said the 34-year-old. “I had counted on having 18 months to renovate the new house but it needs to be done in nine now we have found out my wife is pregnant.

“What with that and the fire brigade, it would have been too much. I care too much about Concord not to give it my all.

“I started pre-season and felt good but literally the timing meant I couldn’t do it. I was up the front with the running, although not everyone will believe that!

“But I can definitely come back. I am not finished at all. I had tons of offers before I left and have had more since leaving and I don’t want to burn any bridges.

“Sammy (Moore) and Jack (Midson) have left it open if I want to come back and by October or November maybe I can get back into training.”

King joined the club in 2008, the year Concord won promotion from the Isthmian North.

Having worked under Danny Cowley and Adam Flanagan at the Beach Boys, King will watch from the sidelines as Moore attempts to guide Concord up the standings - with many expecting a play-off tilt from the talented squad he has assembled.

And King believes a fast start will be important for Concord after poor beginnings in the last few seasons.

“There is no doubting the quality of the squad,” said King. “But we all know the saying ‘hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work’ and the group will have to gel quickly.

“There are some big games this year and that is why you want to play. I know a few of the boys Sammy has brought in. Ryan Hayes, Danny Green and Billy Knott, among others, are all excellent players and it is a lot of change.

“But, in the short time I was around, they seem a nice group, as do the management team.

“Everyone should be excited, but a good start is important. In recent years it has taken a month or two to catch up. I know a win at Billericay in the second game would have the place buzzing.

“As for the defence, I know I am leaving it in good hands. There will be plenty of clean sheets.”