Monday night not only marked the opening of the club's new stadium, Steel Park, but also the return of fans-favourite Chris Mackenzie for a third spell with the Steelmen.

Mackenzie started his career with the Steelmen in 1993, and subsequently played for a host of clubs in the Football League during his career. He returned to the Rockingham Triangle in the summer of 2010 from Hinckley United, but left to join Alfreton Town in February, going on to win the championship with the Reds after making 19 appearances. 

The 39-year-old goalkeeper admits that he enjoyed his time with last season's Blue Square Bet North champions, but is delighted to be back home after rejecting the chance to become a full-time footballer again. 

"I played about 20 games at the end of last season for Alfreton and kept 12 clean sheets. It was good to play a part in their promotion and I was looking forward to the opportunity to play in the Conference however they made the decision to go full time and that wasn't something I expected.

"We were training three times a week and there are a few of us who have worked hard to make a career for ourselves away from football and those work commitments play a huge part in any decision you make about football.

Chris was a firm favourite with the Steelmen faithful during both spells with the club and many were disappointed to see him depart for Alfreton, however Corby Town's number one is philosophical about the whole situation and glad to be back. 

"If I am honest I never wanted to leave Corby, but it was a good chance for me and I appreciated the circumstances the club was in at the time. I felt I'd play out my career at Corby and when the situation at Alfreton prompted me to have to look for another club again I hoped there might be a chance to come back but I didn't think it would really happen.

"The nature of the game is such that there is always interest and speculation and I did speak to a few clubs but when Graham [Drury] rang it came out of the blue and from that point it was a very easy decision to make.

"Emotionally it was tough to leave Corby but I was fortunate I was able to go to a club like Alfreton and I did enjoy myself there but I have to say I am delighted to re-sign. From the minute I agreed terms I couldn't wait for the first game at the new stadium to come round.

His return to a Corby Town shirt co-incided with the opening of Steel Park, and Mackenzie admitted that he loved every minute of it. 

"Monday night was brilliant, it was everything I thought it would be. The atmosphere was great and it's been such a fantastic effort from everyone involved at the club, the staff and the fans, to get the stadium ready.

"I really enjoyed the game and being close to the fans was great but I did find myself looking over to the old stand and the athletics track while the ball was at the other end and thinking how different the experience was over there.

"It will be great to be able to interact with the fans, they are a good natured bunch behind the goal and I look forward to taking plenty of stick from them, and I'm sure the away fans, over the season.

"All the lads are excited about playing in the stadium on a regular basis and the Stevenage match can't come quickly enough for me now."