Darren Smith has called time on his third spell at Folkestone Invicta.

The midfielder returned to the Fullicks Stadium in the summer, having been in the Leatherhead side which beat Invicta in last season's Ryman League Division 1 South play-off final.

But having made 11 appearances for Folkestone this season, Smith told manager Neil Cugley on Saturday that he'd decided to call it a day.

He said: "It’s been a bit of struggle and it was starting to feel like a bit of a chore at times.

"I’ve got work going on at home and I’ve come realise that both my family, and particularly my job, deserve total commitment from me these days.

"I wasn’t well enough to go to Guernsey last weekend but thought I was fit enough to play at East Grinstead on Tuesday (a game Folkestone lost 2-0).

"It always hurts to lose a game but I sat down in the dressing-room on Tuesday and realised that it wasn’t hurting as much as it used to – or as much as it should.

"I really thought I could get past this season. But I don’t want to con anyone and don’t want to take money if I feel I’m not pulling my weight.

"I’ve always played with hunger and desire, but I just don’t feel that like I used to."

Full story in Wednesday's Folkestone & Hythe Express.