Josh Wright has fallen back in love with football following his summer move to Ebbsfleet.

The 32-year-old former Gillingham and Millwall midfielder nearly turned his back on the game coming out of Covid.

Wright stopped playing after leaving League 2 Crawley last September and then featured at part-time Billericay in National League South.

But he’s pleased that a return to the full-time ranks at Stonebridge Road has reignited the passion that saw him make hundreds of Football League appearances.

“I’m loving it, I love coming in and being full-time again - that’s what I missed,” he said. “I didn’t realise how much I missed the structure and the day-to-day stuff.

“I felt last year took a little bit out of me by not playing for the first few months, going part-time and doing a bit of coaching. Maybe I’m still playing catch-up. I love every minute of being at this football club and I want to be successful here.

“I’d go on record saying to anyone - my family know it and my friends - that I did fall out of love with the game a little bit and I had my reasons for it.

“I think Covid and playing behind closed doors was a big part, just where I was at and who I was dealing with, then what I did with my choices. I fell out of love a little bit and [wondered] if it was really worth it?

“I’ve done it for a long time and chalked up hundreds and hundreds of Football League games and I was like ‘am I done?’ - not that I felt I was done but mentally I felt [that].

“Maybe I did the right thing by coming away from it a little bit or seeing a different side as it gave me that hunger and since I’ve been back in full-time, I’ve loved it.

“The fact we’re winning games is really what is making us happy. This is work to me and everyone here, and if you’re happy at work then you’re happy at home.”

In a football sense, Wright was maybe lost a little after leaving Crawley. He had the chance to stay in the Football League but none of the options were the right fit.

Wife Hollie had just fallen pregnant with son Joshua, who was born in February, and Wright wasn’t going to disrupt family life.

He continued: “I’m at an age and a stage in my career when last year I had numerous offers to continue playing in the Football League.

“I was at a bit of a transition in my life, and I don’t mind saying this, where I thought how much did I want to continue? I don’t know what it was but something came over me.

“Having settled in my new house and found out my wife was pregnant in the summer, most offers were taking me up the road. I didn’t want to do that. I didn’t want to move my wife again or live away on my own - I’ve been there and done that. That’s not to say that I didn’t want to play football. So I did what I did last year and I enjoyed it.

“But where I’m at now with Ebbsfleet I don’t feel like I’m in National League South. That’s not just because we’re winning football games but the whole set-up, the whole place. From the manager to the owner to the CEO, the staff, the players and the fans, everything about this football club is Football League quality.

“Yes, we have got the tag of being in National League South and we know we’ve got a big climb to do. But if we can keep pulling in the same direction then this club has got every chance of climbing the leagues at the right time.”

Wright could have easily walked away from the game and stayed away. His ‘Train Wright’ fitness app was set up alongside brother Mark, meaning financial gain is not Josh’s motivation.

He’s still got plenty to offer, though. A midfielder with an eye for goal, comfortable on the ball and still full of energy, Wright’s an ideal fit for Dennis Kutrieb’s Ebbsfleet side.

“That was a difficult one,” admitted Wright, asked if the success of his non-football venture was a big enough pull to keep him away from the game.

“I’m not afraid to say it, that we’ve done well with that and I have a passion for fitness and training and gym stuff, and just living a healthy lifestyle. There’s been a balance, it’s been difficult to do this and that so we’re at a stage where we’re working stuff out.

“But many people started to remind me, in the game but also family and friends, that you’re a long time retired. My legs, my body and mind, and everything about me in terms of football, tells me I’ve still got many years to go. I feel like I could play for a long time.

“It’s not for me to say but my running stats, everything I do and my recovery is all good and I love being out there.

“I keep saying it but it’s a pleasure to play with this group of lads, a pleasure to play under a manager who loves to play the right way but is all about hard graft and discipline, coming in and working hard.

“I love that, and the style of play we’ve got on and off the ball is really what pleases me.”