A year after being sacked as Sutton United’s goalkeeping coach, Wayne Shaw is back and he is counting himself very lucky.

The 43-year-old left Gander Green Lane under a cloud in December 2013 after an altercation with Kingstonian fans during a Surrey Senior Cup tie between the teams.

Shaw, pictured, reacted to chants from the terraces during the warm-up, jumped over the hoardings and confronted Ks fans.

He was sacked by United chairman Bruce Elliott, but now both chairman and manager Paul Doswell have given the goalkeeper a second chance, one he is not going to waste.

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Shaw said: “Getting involved with those fans was a massive mistake on my part. I was provoked by the language, which was uncalled for, but I should not have reacted.

“I have learned my lesson and that will never happen again. Luckily enough I have a second chance.”

He added: “I know the Ks fans won’t be happy, but people do make mistakes, I have not been caught drink-driving or anything like that.

“I made the mistake and I have served my time.”

After walking out of the Lane gates, Shaw joined Gosport Borough and helped guide them to Conference South safety as well as a day out at Wembley in an ultimately doomed FA Trophy final.

Shaw’s return was officially announced last week, but the seeds of a potential comeback were sown at the end of last season.

“I met with Bruce after the play-offs in May, and he said that after what happened, he had to be seen to do something about it and it was with a heavy heart that he sacked me,” Shaw said.

“At the time, I felt obliged to Gosport because they gave me a chance after me being sacked.

“But in the end, I have been travelling all round the country with Gosport, and training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings – it was getting too much.

“What appeals to me at United is the Thursday morning training. I have Thursdays off work, and I can train at Guildford [with United] easily, it all fits in well.

Surrey Comet:

Flashpoint: Wayne Shaw, far left, confronts Kingstonian fans in the build up to a cup tie last season – his actions ended in his sacking, but now he is back with a second chance

“That was a big deciding factor, and obviously knowing Dos for so long meant it was too good an opportunity to turn down.”

A section of Ks fans have reacted to Shaw’s return on Twitter with four-letter outbursts, but co-chairman Mark Anderson said: “I am a big believer in giving people a second chance in life.”

Surrey Comet:

Action man: Wayne Shaw in goal for Sutton United 

Shaw returns to a club that is on the back of four games unbeaten, following Saturday's 2-0 win over Farnborough.

The string of results suggests a ship that is slowly stabilising after a season to forget that saw United briefly flirting with relegation places.

Injuries, drop in form, a complete change in back room staff and a string of players coming and going led boss Doswell to call the season his worst ever in football.

Shaw said: "It’s disappointing that the squad has under-achieved this season – it’s been unbelievable, people laugh and joke about a revolving door at United, but if a player’s not right in the dressing room, change it. 

"I know Dos found it hard driving up on his own in the car, then Ian Baird came in, and I’ve come back to work on the goalkeeping side.

"I'll also sit there as number two keeper, and hopefully I can do a job."

He added: "Aaron Howe is of great calibre, and he's coming into his prime, so it will be nice to work with him." 

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