Ben Stevenson felt “it was the right time” to leave former club Colchester United after moving to Forest Green Rovers this past summer.
The midfielder made just shy of 100 appearances for the U’s helping them reach the League Two play-offs in the 2019/20 season.
In the run up to facing his former club for the first time since his departure, Stevenson had his say on his time in Essex.
“I felt like it was my time and I was ready to leave, I knew that I wanted to move on. When I was coming toward the end of my contract I just felt like it was the right time.
“I was there for two and a half seasons I think. The first one and a half seasons we missed out on the playoffs on goal difference and the next season when COVID hit we were in the playoffs. That was the first game back without any fans, it was a weird situation.
“I think the club at the time struggled a bit financially because of COVID, a lot of clubs did. That whole season (last season) just turned out to be a nightmare season really.”
Hayden Mullins’ side have struggled so far this campaign and currently sit 22nd in League Two, albeit with games in hand.
After a lowly 20th placed finish last season, they don’t seem to be improving despite housing a host of top talent at the Colchester Community Stadium.
But Stevenson has emphasised the importance of every game and certainly won’t be taking the game lightly.
“They’ve got a lot of experience so it’ll be a really tough test. We’re under no illusions of how tough a test it will be but as long as we stamp our play on the game, I think it’s all about us.
“But we cant just turn up and expect to perform we have to give 100% like we usually do.”
Rovers had four games cancelled due to COVID-19 over the Christmas period as a host of players fell foul to the virus.
Stevenson was one of those players in question and was affected badly by the virus which resulted in three week break from playing a game.
But the 24 old has made it clear he’s back now and raring to go.
“I’m good, I recovered from COVID just before Christmas and I’m feeling good now, 100%.
“It actually hit me a bit harder than other players I think I had most of the symptoms and it took me a little bit longer and couple of the others to recover fully.
“But I’m out of it now and I feel good.”
With January comes a host of transfer talk, but Rovers manager Rob Edwards stated in the week that he was not looking to be active and is “happy with the group” at his disposal.
Edwards did say his team are ready to react if need be but Stevenson has emphasised the squads thoughts and feelings around a time the gaffer said was “driving him crazy”.
“I don’t think it is it’s not been a distraction at all. I’m sure the management team and Rob have got it all sorted out and they know more than us but it’s not affected anything.
“Everyone is just fully focused on what we need to do.”
Stevenson signed for Forest Green Rovers on a two-year deal, after coming to the end of his contract at The Oysters.
