Gary Smith admits he had to think long and hard before returning as head coach of Worthing Thunder.

But he knew he would go back to the club who eased him aside 18 months ago once he spoke to his family and basketball friends.

Smith, the man who led Thunder to back-to-back EBL titles and into the top-tier BBL, returns to the bench tomorrow as they visit Guildford Heat (7pm).

He will get a warm welcome back from home fans when Thunder entertain Worcester Wolves in the BBL Cup on Sunday (5pm).

And there might even be a cheer from eight-year-old son Callum, if he is not busy bouncing his own basketball somewhere.

Smith was bitterly disappointed when Thunder decided they wanted a full-time coach at the end of the 2008-09 season and gave Dave Titmuss the job.

Titmuss was a success, taking them into the play-offs, only to then resign. Thunder spent the summer holding out for an American player-coach who promised to bring on-court personnel and much-needed finance but failed to deliver.

So Thunder, having agreed for Smith to coach their lower-league affiliates at Chichester University, turned to him to lead the senior side again for the next two years.

Smith admitted: “It would have been difficult for anybody in my shoes to come back. I have been at home with the family and getting on with my job and that has been great. Having the backing of my family helped me make the decision.

“I asked professional basketball people who I know from years back. One of the things they all said was ‘you’ve done so much in basketball in Worthing and Sussex and you’re not going back to prove anything, just to finish what you started’.”

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