FA Vase winning captain Tom Smith has reunited with his former Truro City boss Steve Massey after signing for Helston Athletic this week, writes Matt Dixon.

The 33 year old, who lifted the trophy at Wembley in 2007, has been coaxed back into action and made his debut for the Blues at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

He told the Helston Packet: “I’m excited to be back. I haven’t played competitively for 18 months and it has definitely left a void in my life.

“The team spirit, the togetherness you have in a football team is better than anything that money can buy. It’s a massive challenge at Helston but Mass is the right man for the job and given time he’ll get it right.”

Smith was originally signed by Massey during a trip to Tiverton Town to sign Stuart Yetton for City.

The Yorkshireman had moved to Devon after professional contracts with Football League clubs including Rotherham and Northampton Town.

He left Truro City in 2009 to join Alan Carey’s Falmouth Town, before going on to play for St Austell for three years, as well as brief spells at Illogan and Godolphin.

Having set up a plumbing and heating business, Smith stepped away from football, but always knew he’d be involved again.

“It’s been a huge part of my life from the age of eight, so I was always going to miss it. I’ve spent a lot of time fishing recently, because I’m a great believer in having the right balance between work and doing what makes you happy.

“I am a bit more flexible with work now than I was and it’s not far to travel for home games from where I live in Redruth.

“It’s a long term project at Helston but there are some good people like Chris Strike and Steve Jewell there. My focus now is to get fit. I know what I have to do to be match sharp and I’m 100 per cent committed to doing that.”