BASINGSTOKE Town skipper David Ray says there were a number of reasons he decided to stay at Basingstoke and turn full-time at the age of 31.

Being self-employed helped the defender reach his “huge decision” as well as the chance to work with manager Terry Brown and first team coaches Kevin Braybrook and Jason Bristow, his good friend and former boss.

Ray has played over 360 games in two spells for Basingstoke, arriving in 2002 then joining Bognor Regis - he lives in west Sussex - before returning in 2013 when Bristow was in charge.

He is the only member of last season’s first team squad to remain after relegation to the Southern League from the National League South and the decision to go full-time with talented youngsters. They train at Alton’s 3G facility.

Ray, the club captain on a two-year deal, said : “It was a huge decision to stay this year. I knew exactly what was going on and I was fortunate to be asked to stay involved.

“Due to the situation with daytime training, a lot of lads have good jobs and could not afford to give them up. But I can be a little bit flexible with my work.

“For me this is a new challenge and not something people have an opportunity to do at this level. I am still hungry, I still want to win things and do well.

“I am hopeful the platform the club have given the lads to work on will help me achieve my targets. We have some great talent here, some with genuine ability.”

Ray, who doubles up as a car dealer, based in Liphook, Hants, and a personal trainer is excited about what might lie ahead for the club and himself.

He said :“I do not know what the future holds after playing but if I was to stay in the game in some capacity, who better to learn from than Terry Brown.

“It is a fantastic environment at Alton as well . My work is only 20 minutes from the training ground and I can be away most time days by 1pm. Without that option, it would have been difficult to commit to the club.

“Terry, Jason and Kevin understand at my age on certain days I need to do my own thing rather than running up and down on artificial surfaces with kids!”

Ray added: “I came here at 16 and had six really good years but I knew that if I was to develop I needed to go elsewhere.

“Jason is my closest friends. I hoped he would get the job as manager and that would open a window for me. Working with Jason is fantastic for me.

“I have some great memories and few bitter ones, last season was one of them, but regardless this is a great club.”