King’s Lynn Town manager Paul Caddis admits he would love nothing more than to secure three points on his return to former club Hereford - even if it means becoming the man everybody loves to hate.

The Linnets boss is preparing for an emotional trip back to Edgar Street tomorrow, having left Hereford earlier this year following two years in charge.

And while Caddis remains immensely proud of his achievements at the club, he acknowledges there could be a hostile reception waiting for him in the National League North clash.

“I’m looking forward to it, I really am. I’ve no idea what reception I’ll get,” he said.

“But my full focus is going there and being that guy that everybody hates because I want to go there and win.

“I’ll fight and kick every ball. Hereford’s a place I’ve got loads of respect for, but my allegiance will lie well and truly with these players and this club.”

Caddis took charge of Hereford in difficult circumstances and revealed the extent of the problems he faced when he first arrived.

“We were really pleased with what we walked into. It was a genuine disaster,” he recalled.

“I was told after about a week in the job that there was less than five grand in the bank. So I had to completely strip the squad.

“We had no players. I had one under-18, under-19 player that I kept on and then I had to start again.

“It was just myself, walked through the door. No staff, nothing.

“It literally was just me and a desk the first day I walked in, and that was me for about a month, six weeks until Rudders came on board.”

Despite those early challenges, Caddis guided Hereford to successive impressive points totals, although the club narrowly missed out on the play-offs on both occasions.

“We got 69 points the first season and statistically nine of the previous ten years, 69 points got you in the play-offs,” he said.

“We finished 10th or 11th on 69 points, missed out. The following year we finished on 74 points. Again, somehow that missed out.

“So I’m immensely proud of the time I had there.

“We had some brilliant moments there. A club I’ve got real respect for. They gave me my first opportunity in management.”

Caddis also highlighted the growth in attendances during his time at Edgar Street, claiming average crowds rose from around 1,800 to 3,500, with some approaching 4,000.

But despite those achievements, his departure was not without controversy.

“I think the way it ended was pretty sour, with some of the stuff that went on that wasn’t acceptable and shouldn’t have happened, but it did,” he admitted.

“It’s an emotional club with emotional supporters.”

The Scot is expecting a sizeable crowd for his return and believes his presence could add extra spice to an already attractive National League North fixture.

“I’m pretty sure the fact that on any average Hereford-King’s Lynn game there wouldn’t be 4,000-plus, but I’m probably going to put my heart on the line and say there’ll be 4,000-plus there,” he said.

Asked whether the fixture would carry extra personal significance, Caddis was refreshingly candid.

“I try and be as honest as I possibly can, whether I’m giving stuff away or not. I’d love to win, absolutely I would love to win.

“I know for a fact there’ll be a lot of eyes on me. I’m not silly to say that.”

But whatever reception awaits him at Edgar Street, Caddis insists his loyalties now lie entirely with the Linnets.

“I would love obviously nothing more than going there and getting three points,” he added.

“But that would be the same as going anywhere else and getting three points.

“Yes, it’s got a different feel because I was there, but it’s one I’m looking forward to.”