Twenty-nine-year-olds do not often get second chances in professional football, so ex-Kingstonian striker Andre McCollin is out to grab his with both hands.

The former Yeovil Town man landed a surprise switch to Conference Premier Aldershot Town last week, having scored 58 in 109 games for the Kingsmeadow club.

McCollin started his career at Corinthian Casuals before 19 goals in 30 appearances for Fisher Athletic caught the attention of the Glovers in 2008.

He last played as a full professional in 2010 and left Yeovil after two leg breaks and unsuccessful loans spells at Dorchester Town, Farnborough and Grays Athletic.

And, having slipped down the non-League ranks since then, he is out to make the most of his second coming.

“I wasn’t looking to move, but Tommy [Williams] told me a few people were interested and asked if I wanted to speak to them,” he said.

“The next thing I know is Andy Scott – the Aldershot manager – rings me, we talk and agreed terms pretty quickly.

“The offer was too good to turn down. I trained on Thursday and was in the team on Saturday.

“They have been struggling for goals and hopefully I can get a few to fire them up the table.

“Andy tried to sign me at Brentford, but we could not agree terms.

“I guess he finally has his man except I have a few cobwebs on me now and a few more miles on the clock.

“I never really got a good run at the Football League last time, so this is a last chance for me and I have to grab it with both hands.”

McCollin’s Aldershot Town debut was cut short on 37 minutes agaisnt Dartford last week, but the ex-Ks hero reckoned he’d seen enough to be confident of making his move a success.

“When Andy pulled me over and told me he was going to start me on Saturday. I was a bit surprised,” he added.

“I thought I’d have to train a bit more and prove myself.

“It shows he has confidence in me and knows what I can bring and, to be honest, that gave me a boost.

“With that league being full time, I thought I’d take a little while to adjust or it would be too fast, but I thought I did well.

“The defenders are not an awful lot different to the Ryman Prem, to be honest. The game is just a little quicker.

“I got an elbow to the face and had to get stitches in my lip, which meant my debut was quite short.”

McCollin might have moved on for now, but he has not ruled out a return to Kingsmeadow.

“If things don’t work out then I would not rule out coming back,” he added.

“I already miss the boys. The club has been like an extended family to me.”

And Kingstonian co-chairman Mark Anderson admitted McCollin’s exit had been a wrench.

“It is with mixed feelings I see Andre leave,” he said.

“I am delighted for him that he has another chance at what in effect is a professional set up two divisions higher than we are.

“But disappointed we will be losing a top striker, a team player, and a nice man.

“We’ve always said we’d not stand in the way of a player making upward progression. We wish him well.”