Goalkeeper flys the nest after making just 15 appearances for Royston

GOALKEEPER Lee Robinson has returned to Hertford Town after just two and a half months at Garden Walk.

Robinson was not under contract at Royston after moving from Hertingfordbury Park back in the middle of September and league rules stipulate any club can make a ‘seven-day approach’ for a player who is not governed by a contract in order to negotiate a possible transfer.

Crows manager Paul Attfield says he first spoke to Robinson, who made 15 appearances in all competitions during his spell with Royston, the day before the away defeat at Hillingdon Borough before a final mutual decision was reached eight days later.

Attfield says it was clear Robinson was keen on a move back to his former club after failing to reject the approach and says it would not have been in the club’s interests to keep a player who is not 100 per cent committed.

In response to the question as to why the club didn’t get Robinson tied down to a contract when he came to the club, Attfield says it’s not club policy to do so without having a period of evaluation.

However, despite now having to do without the experienced Robinson who Attfield has previously described as one of the best ‘keepers in the division, the Royston boss is confident either young ‘keeper Luke Howard or Jorden Gibson can step up to the challenge of becoming his new number one.

Gibson has plenty of experience as a previous first choice ‘keeper under Attfield while Howard has impressed on a number of occasions since the start of pre-season.

“We’ve got Luke and Jorden who are very good ‘keepers. They are both young and enthusiastic and you want players who want to play for the club.

“Luke has done really well and he had a cracking few games in pre-season where I thought he was fantastic and he has been unlucky with a few injuries.”