NOSTALGIC Robbie Matthews says he is saddened and disappointed with the ever-growing prospect that football may never be played again in a Salisbury City shirt – but insists they never learnt their lesson.

The former Whites ace had on-and-off spells at his hometown club where he was part of two promotions to the Conference Premier – both of which landed Salisbury in financial difficulty.

Matthews was part of the promotion squad in 2007 but the club entered administration in 2009.

He returned a few seasons later to help the Whites secure play-off victory in 2013 from the Conference South but then parted company with the Ray Mac club and manager at the time Darrell Clarke.

But today, the central defender has been plying his trade at part-time Gosport Borough as well as returning to bricklaying.

The towering 32-year-old, who lives in Amesbury, said: “I just don’t know what has happened. Whether they can start again next year I don’t know.

“It’s sad as that’s where I was born and live.

“Every time they go up to the Conference Premier they seem to find it too hard.

“Every time we’ve gone up we’ve had trouble. Th|ey haven’t really learned from their mistakes. Obviously to run a football club is hard.”

Matthews, who has a host of nonleague clubs on his CV, was p l a n n i n g on a return to Salisbury before he hangs up his boots.

But, according to the versatile player that is now unlikely.

“It’s one of my best clubs where I had one of the best runs. I have great memories of the club, probably the best in my football career,”

he added.

“We came up from the lower leagues to the Conference Premier.

“Salisbury is my club but I have left them before because of money troubles as I had a house and kids to pay for.

I’m not like a saint where I will stay there until the end, but sometimes you have to look after yourself.

“It’s sad and disappointing but hopefully they will somehow get over what has happened and be able to start again.

“It would have been good to go back and play for Salisbury one day because they are my local team. I honestly don’t know what is going on.”