Ben Barnes is hoping to return to the National League in the future with his new club Chichester.

The former England international has quit premier division big guns Reading to become player-coach at the club where he started his career.

It is a move which has raised eyebrows as Barnes had played a leading role while Reading dominated the domestic hockey scene in recent seasons.

However, the 30-year-old is delighted with the switch and admits nothing would please him more than to help Chichester into the National League.

After relegation from South Premier division one last year, it would now take two promotions to get Chichester to that level but Barnes believes step one can be achieved in the season ahead.

He said: "This move was something that was always going to happen. I always wanted to step out from the top when I was still at the top of my game.

"It was a family decision and a work decision to come home.

"It was hard to leave Reading because we were winning everything but I had nothing else to prove at that level because I had won a lot of things and there are some younger players who now need to come through at Reading.

"Chichester have a very young team, they are very keen and there is a lot of ability.

"They have players who can play at a much higher level. Neil Pendle is still involved at 36 but the next oldest player is 27 and the rest of the team are under 25. The potential is huge."

Barnes started his career at Chichester before switching to East Grinstead. He won 38 international caps, captaining his country against Czech Republic.

One of Chichester's main rivals for the title will be Brighton and Hove.

Carlo Missirian is staying as captain, but they are losing four of last season's successful squad.

Don Turnbull and Dave Delea have retired from first team hockey, forward Mike Botha has left and Pietro Attala is moving to Hong Kong in October.