MIDFIELDER Anthony Barry has returned to Accrington Stanley for a third spell, signing a one-year deal with the club.

The 29-year-old, who was part of the Reds’ Conference-winning squad of 2005/06, came back last season on loan from Forest Green Rovers.

Barry was not sure if he would be third time lucky at the Store First Stadium, as he had to negotiate his release from the Vanarama National League club in order to return to the Football League with Stanley.

“At some stages I didn’t think I would be coming back here,” he admitted. “But we finally got it done. It’s been a long summer sorting everything out.”

Now Barry is looking forward to the opportunity to re-establish himself in John Coleman’s starting XI, and fill the void left by captain Luke Joyce’s return to Carlisle United.

“It was hard watching Luke last season as he was playing really well and there wasn’t room for me to get a chance,” he told the club’s official website.

“While I was delighted he was doing well, he has now made his move and I wish him good luck but it does mean there is now a space to hopefully show what I can do.

“Last season was really bitty for me. I missed pre-season and I wasn’t doing a lot of training at Forest Green and so I was playing catch-up.

“I came here and didn’t really show what I can do. I was talking to the gaffer (John Coleman) all over summer and I said I didn’t want to come back and have the same sort of season. We had a good chat about how this season can be different and hopefully it will be.”

Other clubs expressed an interest in Barry during the summer, but the Liverpudlian said there was only one place he wanted to be. I spoke to a few other clubs but I wanted to come back here as I felt I hadn’t shown anyone really what I could do,” he said.

“Accrington is always one of those clubs where people leave with good memories and they go away and for, whatever reason, find themselves back here.

“I am the same and there are a few others who have returned.”

Striker Billy Kee is back for a second spell after leaving Burton Albion, Sean McConville has also returned this summer, while Andy Procter, who is close to making his comeback from injury, re-signed from Bury last season.

“We have a good set of lads here now,” said Barry.

“I know the gaffer will never accept just being in this league. He is the one who got us here and he is the one who wants to put us in League One and he has drilled that into us.