Returnee Neil Adams has spoken of his delight at re-joining the Barons this season after two years abroad and has confessed that playing for Solihull feels like ‘home’.

Adams netted his first goal since his homecoming last time out in the 3-1 defeat to rivals Coventry ENL Blaze, and after debuting way back in January, he admits that it had been an agonising wait.

Neil Adams has struggled in finishing in front of goal but hopes to end the season strongly this weekend.

“I was pleased to score,” said Adams. “It’s been a long time coming, so I’m very pleased to get that one. It was hard losing a local derby but they outplayed us without a shadow of a doubt and it’s one of those things. We’re just going to have to get together and rebuild.

 “I’m very pleased to have re-joined. I was always itching to come back to Solihull and get back playing; I’ve always wanted to stay in Solihull. I’ve left a few times but it’s always been my home to play and a lot of players who have moved away have said that Solihull is a really good team. The fans and the players are a good laugh and just stick together, so it’s a good place to be.”

Adams averaged close to three points a game in his previous spell in a Barons jersey, but since returning to Hobs Moat Road, it’s fair to say that he hasn’t quite been hitting the right notes.

“I took two years off and I thought I’d be easily able to come back and slot straight back in,” he added. “But I’m 29 now and my legs aren’t getting faster. Ideally I’d of liked to have had the summer for pre-season to get into it and I’ve been playing in brand new kit which hasn’t helped, but hopefully I’ll be back to my best next year.

“Daz knew that I wasn’t going to come back flying. I had my first game straight off the plane the next day and played in brand new skates I’d never worn. I did think it was going to be easy coming back but it’s not. It’s just one of those things where I need to regroup and work hard over the summer and I’ll work up my fitness again and I’ll be good for next year, I guarantee it!

 “It’s been frustrating. The fans expect a lot from me and I haven’t been able to live up to my previous rep this season. I had no gym work over there [Canada] and no pre-season training so I’ve come back and it’s a hard sport to try and go straight into without much prep. But it’s coming together now and I’m looking forward to playing a bigger part next season.”

And turning his attention to this weekend’s end of season double with Telford Titans and Whitley Warriors, Adams insisted that the whole team will be putting on a 110% show in a bid to bow out on a high – and most importantly, give something back to the supporters.

“We’re not the type of club to just bail out now. Solihull has never been about that and we’ve got two games to go to put it right. We realise that we’ve been relegated but we owe the fans more than anything really.

“They come in and there’s a reason why the club is the most successfully supported in the league. Most teams are struggling financially, but we’re stable and that’s down to the fans coming week in week out even when they see us losing, so for the last two games we owe them big time.”

The Barons meet the Whitley Warriors this Sunday 25th March at the Hobs Moat Rink Come down and cheer the Barons on in their final game of the season. Face-off : 6pm Adults £6 : Concessions £3