HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS director of football Steve Pitt will take a trip down memory lane when he returns to WIVENHOE TOWN tonight.

The sides are set to meet in an Essex Senior Cup third-round tie at the Maple Tree Cars Stadium.

Pitt enjoyed huge success during his time at Wivenhoe, masterminding one of the most glorious periods in the club’s history.

They just missed out on promotion from the Ryman League after losing in the play-off semi-final in 2005 and final in 2006.

“A lot of water has passed under the bridge since I was there and that chapter of my life closed eight and a half years ago,” said Pitt, who also managed FC Clacton and Stanway Rovers.

“But it’s always great to go back because it was a wonderful experience for me.

“There were some fantastic people behind the scenes.

“I’ve never had any axe to grind with them and never left on bad terms.

“I don’t wish them any will and am delighted to see them pushing on this season.

“They look good candidates for promotion (from Thurlow Nunn League division one).

“I’m proud of my history with the club and proud of what we achieved, but I left because we’d gone as far as we could go.

“We got to the play-offs twice but I felt we’d plateaued after losing in the play-off final (to Stanford).

“We weren’t geared for the next level, even though we were only a few minutes away, and that was my gut instinct.

“Without being disrespectful, we’d gone as far as we could go.”

Pit, who has been working at National League South side Bishop’s Stortford more recently, joined Swifts after Jody Brown’s appointment as manager on October 4.

It’s still early days but the club have already moved off the bottom of the Ryman League north division table, although they suffered a blow after losing 1-0 at Tilbury on Saturday.

“Saturday was our first real setback and we didn’t play particularly well,” said Pitt.

“But we’re as strong as we could be off the pitch (in addition to Brown and Pitt, Danny Clare is assistant manager and Paul Abrahams, another former Wivenhoe old boy, is head coach).

“We’ve had a good look at what we’ve inherited “The club was where it was - bottom of the table - for a reason.

“A process of change had to evolve and the players have responded really positively.”

Swifts have made two new signings so far - Lewis Godbold, from Witham Town, and George Doyle, from Concord Rangers.

And Pitt admitted the club are looking to do “a bit more business” this week - possibly before tonight’s trip to Wivenhoe.