FORMER Hull City winger Stuart Elliott admits the chance to return to Northern Ireland and be closer to his family in Belfast was the reason behind him pulling on his boots again.
After playing in England and Scotland for the last 12 years, Elliott returned home to sign for Irish Premier League side Glentoran earlier this season, the club where he first made his name.
Elliott, who is continuing his Christian Ministry commitments in Belfast, admits the decision to leave England was a tough one to make, but he insists it was the right one.
"I made a lot of really good friends in Hull but I needed a new challenge," Elliott told the Mail.
"I said if I ever returned home to Northern Ireland, I would join Glentoran again.
"It's great to be back playing for my home-town team.
"I left Northern Ireland in 2000 and felt it was the right time to return.
"I'm enjoying it and it's true when they say home is where the heart is."
The 34-year-old who left City in August 2008, has helped Glentoran to third in the Irish Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Cliftonville.
But Elliott admits his role in the team has changed from when he was a prolific scorer for the Tigers in their back-to-back promotion winning seasons between 2004 and 2006.
"I'm playing in a very young but talented Glentoran side," Elliott said.
"It's a bit of a transition period for us and we are looking for our first trophy.
"When we get that more success will follow and I don't think we are far away from getting it. There is a big belief within the squad."
