DAVID Malone is angling at ANOTHER return to Winchester City after a brief spell as a director of Ryman Premier outfit Salisbury.

The Sydenhams Wessex League club have called an extraordinary general meeting next Friday (May 13), at which Malone is highly hopeful of being elected back in.

If he's successful, it would be his second City comeback in the space of five months. Having initially left the club last November, he went back in January only to leave again a month later pledging never to return.

When he pitched up as a director at Salisbury, it looked as if his ties with Winchester had been severed once and for all, but his two-month stint at Old Sarum didn't work out.

He confirmed: "I went to Nick Holmes (Salisbury manager) about two or three weeks ago and said I didn't think it was working.

"I wasn't enjoying the season and I had differences of opinion over certain things, but the main thing was that I couldn't find a role there to fulfil what I wanted to do.

"I wanted to be more involved on the playing side. The parting was all very amicable.

"Salisbury are a nice bunch of people and I'm glad they stayed up the Premier Division.

"They'll do quite well next season."

As director of football at Winchester, Malone's contacts and financial input played a key part in the club's magnificent FA Vase/Wessex League/League Cup treble last season.

The downside of that triumph was that Winchester's ground was deemed unfit for promotion but, ironically, they are now in the frame for Ryman/Southern League football next season because this year's champions, Lymington & New Milton, can't got up.

While Winchester have passed this year's ground inspection, Lymington have failed theirs, leaving City looking at a possible semi-final play-off away to Enfield this Saturday (May 7, 3pm), although that may change now that the Linnets have appealed.

Malone said: "I feel desperately sorry for Lymington and know just how they must feel. The FA are a law unto themselves in these matters."

Speaking of his possible return to Winchester, he added: "I've got some substantial backers in place for the club and a set of proposals to take to the EGM, which I'd fully expect the members to go for."

A press release from Salisbury said: "We take this opportunity to thank David for his efforts and the enthusiasm he showed whilst with us.

"A man of his commitment will surely very quickly find a fresh challenge and we wish him well in that."