DANNY Bloomfield has left Hadleigh United and returned to Needham Market – but not to play first-team football.

The experienced striker is back at Bloomfields to assist Kevin Horlock with running the club’s reserve team and play alongside the Academy players he will be coaching.

Bloomfield, who was elevated to the coaching staff earlier this season and helped Horlock with the Academy, was one of five players to leave Needham Market when the Ryman League Division One North club reduced its wage bill in January.

The 30-year-old dropped down to play for Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division Hadleigh, who at the time were still involved in the FA Vase but subsequently bowed out at the quarter-final stage.

Bloomfield said: “I found it frustrating at Hadleigh in that not once when I was there was manager Stuart Crawford able to name the same starting XI, let alone the same squad, because of players’ unavailability.

“That contributed to not only the team’s performances but my own performances as there was no continuity and I struggled to change my mentality accordingly.

“I am disappointed it didn’t work out at Hadleigh as I liked the club and I don’t want to be seen as someone who goes from club-to-club.”

Bloomfield continued: “When I was at Needham because I was playing in the first team I never got to see the Academy boys playing for the reserves.

“I still want to play and this will be a good opportunity for me to see how the boys put into practice what we have coached them in training sessions.

“I am looking forward to the rest of the season and to helping the boys to progress.”