Former Hampton & Richmond Borough defender Craig Tanner has revealed there was no chance of a return to his former club for the coming campaign.
 

The 26-year-old, right, quit Carshalton Athletic in the summer and joined Ryman Premier League Met Police for whom he scored in Saturday's 1-0 win over Blue Square South Sutton United.
 

Tanner spent six weeks training with Blue Square Premier outfit Braintree under former Beavers boss Alan Devonshire this summer.
 

But, despite speaking with Hampton manager Mark Harper, he plumbed for a move closer to home having found travelling to Essex prohibitive.
 

"I did speak to Harps because I still know a few of the boys at Hampton, but it was a move the was never going to happen,” he said.
 

“I left Hampton because I felt the club was not in a position to move forward and I don't think an awful lot has changed there since I left.”
 

Harper is still waiting on the signatures of Darren Powell and Alan Bray to complete his squad for the coming campaign, which kicks-off when Hastings United visit the Beveree on Saturday.
 

But the manager, who completed the signings of Malvin  earlier this week, is otherwise pleased with where he stands.
 

“A lot of people were surprised we weren’t relegated a lot sooner than we were last year,” he added.
 

“And we are going to be out to surprise a few more people this year.
 

“We have a better prepared squad this time around and we have a little bit more experience too.
 

“It is a shame we haven’t got the likes of Matt Ruby and Matt Lovett about because of injury, but we will get on with it and enjoy it.  There are still one or two deals to be done, but I’m happy we are ready to give it a go.”
 

Hampton’s squad: Rodney Chiweshe, Max Hustwick, Neil Jenkins, Billy Jeffreys, Marlvin Kamara, Anson Cousins, Karle Carder, James Simmonds, Tom Hickey, Paul Johnson, Gary Holloway, Joe Benjamin, Charlie Moone, JJ Bates, Alan Bray, Darren Powell and Elliott Bent.