"Yeah, I think so," said Harry Kite when asked if there ever a feeling that he may have dropped out of the football league forever.

"Yeah, I think so," said Harry Kite when asked if there ever a feeling that he may have dropped out of the football league forever.

Having left Exeter City in the summer of 2024 to try and take the next step in his career, picking up an injury in pre-season happened at the worst possible time for the midfielder who struggled to then find a club until Yeovil Town in the National League offered him a short term deal until the end of the season.

He made just seven appearances before joining Truro City but he made just 14 appearances for the Cornish side - plus six on loan at Weston-super-Mare in the National League South last season, and it looked as if he was drifting away from a career in the EFL.

But in what was a surprise move over the summer, Kite was offered a lifeline by Exeter City who offered him a return to his boyhood club, and on Saturday he made his first start for the Grecians since New Year’s Day 2024.

Kite’s inclusion came to replace an injury Jake Doyle Hayes sustained on Tuesday night, but the academy graduate seized his opportunity with an impressive performance. He lasted until the 78th minute before being substituted, marking his longest appearance in a game for a considerable period, and admitted he was unsure whether he would ever return.

“Fans are fantastic, but they probably don’t realise what a difficult and challenging environment football can be, in terms of being under so much pressure all the time," he said.

“When I was out of it for a couple of years and probably didn’t play as much as I would have liked, firstly because of the injury and then last season, it sort of feels like you’re getting further and further away.

“But I felt like when I played over the last couple of years, I’d done well. It was just about getting the opportunity to keep showing what I can do.

“I’m really happy to be back. Everyone knows this is my home club, and it was difficult making the decision to leave in the first place. So it’s great to be back, and today shows what you miss when you’re not here.”

“I wanted to thank the club because, over the difficult couple of years, I'm sure a lot of people will know, not everyone would necessarily give the opportunity that I've been given to come back, and I appreciate that.

“There are players here that have played at this level for longer than I have, obviously with me coming out for a couple of years. So, yeah, I knew there was competition for places when I came in, but I just had to try and keep training well, do well when I came on and get an opportunity like I did today.”

Reflecting on his first league start for a considerable period, Kite admitted he was “really happy” to be back in the starting XI, marking a memorable milestone in his 'second' Exeter City career.

“Yeah, really happy to obviously play that game in terms of starting up," he said. "Obviously, come back about eight weeks ago, a couple of months ago, and yeah, it's been a long wait in terms of when I had that little calf niggle.

“Obviously, Doyler has been absolutely fantastic since he's been in there and he's been brilliant, so I've sort of been biding my time. Like I said, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to play today, so really happy.

“Really happy to come off of it with a win as well, more importantly. And hopefully we can keep building.”

The win over Fleetwood Town on Saturday took the Grecians up to eighth in the League Two table, with only goal difference keeping them out of the play-off spots. It is is now four wins in five in the league, and at St James Park it is now nine games unbeaten this season as momentum is starting to build.

“I think it's sort of continuing the momentum that we've had at home throughout the course of this season," the academy graduate added.

“I think home form has always been massive. I remember the season we got promoted out of League Two, our home form was fantastic that year.

“With us being in such a southern location, so far away from most other teams, I think we’ve got to try and make the most of that. Our supporters have been fantastic as well, so our home form is going to be huge.

“I think we’ve picked up slightly in terms of results and form away from home too. If we can keep adding points away while winning at home, then we’re going to be in a really good position.”

The 26-year-old is one of the very few players still involved with Exeter City who experienced the club’s last promotion from League Two - with only Sonny Cox remaining who featured that season, and the striker didn't play a league game. But Kite believes the Grecians have the potential to repeat that achievement and bounce back to League One at the first time of asking.

“I think we’ve got a really good squad and a really nice blend of experience and youth," Kite said. "I feel like we complement each other. For me in midfield, Fitzy’s fantastic to play alongside. He’s full of voice, encouragement and motivation. Reece also brings a lot of that leadership throughout the group.

“I feel like we’ve got a really good blend, and I’m sure the majority of our team will have won promotion with other teams in different leagues. I don’t see why we couldn’t try and aim for that again.”

Exeter City face a tough challenge next week as they travel to league leaders Salford City, but Kite believes the Grecians can approach the fixture with “great confidence”.

“I think it’s going to be a tough test. We know the form they’ve been in, but we’re on the back of really good form ourselves. We can only go in there with great confidence, and I’m sure we’ll prepare throughout the week as best we can to try and get maximum points.

“We have to understand that it’s going to be a difficult game against a difficult team that have recruited really well over the summer. But we go in there full of confidence and hopefully get the three points.”