Wes Fogden: Midfielder opts for part-time football return to protect body

Wes Fogden started his career as a trainee at Brighton

Wes Fogden admits the time was right to step out of full-time football to protect his body from serious damage.

Fogden opted to leave Yeovil in May with a year still left on his contract.

"It just wasn't for me. My body was just telling me," he told BBC Radio Solent. "The last two seasons had been tough with injuries."

The 28-year-old former Bournemouth and Portsmouth midfielder has decided to return to non-league football with Isthmian League Havant & Waterlooville.

A persistent knee problem restricted Fogden to just 13 appearances in League Two last season following his move from Portsmouth.

But an FA Cup first round winning goal at Maidstone United gave him a highlight for the scrap book.

Fogden's return to Havant, who were relegated from National League South in May, will be his second spell as a part-time footballer, having last played for the club in 2011.

"The recent five years started off strong at Bournemouth," he added. "I really loved my time there, especially the promotion from League One.

"Slowly, but surely, the full-time training was quite a lot.

"The way I play is pretty full on. Once I'm out on the pitch, I like to give 100%. But, it seemed I couldn't always do that in every training session while full-time.

"I've had to make that transition again back into part-time football and just manage my body a bit more.

"I just want to get back to being fully fit. It's been a bit of distress on my body and mind."

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