Former Eastbourne Borough defender Tobi Adebayo-Rowling returns with new club Ebbsfleet United in National League South
Published: 06:00, 10 November 2020
Updated: 09:05, 10 November 2020
Tobi Adebayo-Rowling heads back to his old stomping ground with new club Ebbsfleet United this evening.
The Fleet defender will feature against Eastbourne Borough in National League South, determined to put one over his old mates.
"Eastbourne were great for me," said Adebayo-Rowling. "I know quite a few of their players off the pitch and I still chat to them - although the talking has stopped now until after the game!
"The games there were always windy though so I don't miss that!
"It was my first club when I was a youngster, I joined them at 16, before I went to Peterborough."
His career ended up going full circle, after spells at Posh and in Ireland, he was back at Eastbourne, initially on loan from Bromley before making the switch permanent.
"I got player-of-the-year in my first season (at Eastbourne) and the second year I broke my foot and couldn't really regain my form after that."
Adebayo-Rowling left Eastbourne to join Fleet for a return to full-time football in the summer.
Friends like Dean Cox and Greg Luer will line up in Eastbourne colours but he's determined Fleet maintain their recent momentum in National League South.
"I'm buzzing to go back there," added Adebayo-Rowling. "We need to beat them.
"We've won our last two games and we've got a big month ahead of us.
"In this league, anyone can beat anyone but we've got a strong team and we're confident. It's a massive game for us."
While the 23-year-old has three points in his sights, Eastbourne will still hold fond memories for him regardless of the result.
"It's got a nice feel to the place," he added. "The fans are very close to the team, they're close to the game and they talk to you afterwards in the bar.
"It's a well-run club, everyone trains there from the first-team downwards. The fans love the place and it's just a nice non-league club."
Fleet keeper Tom Hadler, midfielder Michael West and goalkeeping coach Scott Chalmers-Stevens are also returning to their former club this evening.
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Matthew Panting