ADAM Boyd believes Hartlepool United fans will see a different, more rounded player after completing his return to his hometown club.

Boyd left Victoria Park for Luton for £500,000 in 2006 and last week signed for the club from Leyton Orient.

Now aged 27, Boyd believes the experience of three years away from the venue where he started his career has seen him mature as a footballer.

“I’m a little bit more consistent,’’ he admitted.

“I’m less flicks and tricks, I’m more a team player than individual.

“Hopefully it will work out well for me.

“I remember playing at 18 and 19, flicking the ball on to no-one and five defenders shouting back at me – it starts to click in after a while.

“It’s not important that you flick things on and look good, it’s more about keeping the ball. You have to give the other players a rest.’’ Boyd was handed his Pools debut in 1999 by Chris Turner; the same manager will be back in charge of the side next season.

And Boyd admits the chance to play under Turner again means the decision to return home was an easy one.

“Chris played a massive part (in my career),’’ he admitted. “He gave me my first professional contract, my first appearance and I scored my first goal under him.

“He was really good for me. He came round to my house when I was younger to see how I was doing. I have a lot of time for him.

“To come back here for him, who I regard as an old friend, the decision was easy."

Boyd and Turner will team up tomorrow night, at a talk-in, billed as Boyd’s homecoming, at the Rovers Quoit Club.

Tickets are £3 and available from the club’s ticket office, the Rovers club on the door or by calling 07990-588244.