JOSHUA Rees insists he has rediscovered his love for football since signing for Chelmsford City.

The former Southend High School pupil was with Arsenal as a youngster before spending three seasons with Nottingham Forest.

But, after failing to complete a move to League Two side Blackpool in the summer, Rees eventually opted to join the Clarets in National League South.

And it is a decision which the Hadleigh based Rees already feels has been proved right.

“I spent pre-season at Blackpool and was very close to signing a deal but it didn’t materialise and I was a bit despondent after that,” said Rees, 23.

“I had lost a bit of love for the game being honest.

“I’d been at Nottingham Forest for the last three seasons and due to the instability at the club with the various managers I felt it extremely difficult to try and break into the first team and become a regular.

“You’d never know who’d you’d be trying to impress and what was needed of you.

“I’d had a successful loan at Torquay towards the end of last season and was confident that I’d be able to earn a deal in the Football League.

“But I’m happy to be playing regular football and at the same time still be in the shop window so to speak.

“I’m enjoying playing football again and it’s been going well so far too.”

The midfielder has already established himself as a key figure with the Clarets and has scored four goals so far this season.

Chelmsford – who visit Concord Rangers tomorrow – sit second in the National League South standings and are unbeaten in their last 10 games.

And, while Rees has been impressed by the standard of the division, he remains keen to get back to a higher level.

“Honestly speaking the difference between non-league and league football is very minimal but it’s still a burning ambition of mine to make it to the elite level again,” said Rees.

“Chelmsford are fully aware I have those aspirations and are supportive of it.

"But ideally I would love to make that journey with the club and I really feel that is a reality with the squad the manager has assembled.

"The only downside for me is that it’s part-time but the manager and his coaching staff have shown that they are very forward thinking in their ideas about the game and the training sessions are of a high quality.

“Being close to home was an added bonus and it’s good to be around my family on a more regular basis now.”

Tomorrow’s away trip will also be close to home.

But Rees is expecting a tough test despite Concord’s lowly league position.

“It’s easy to look at the league table and the form guide and say that we should be winning the game quite comfortably but this will be a hard game,” he added.