Sutton United goalkeeper Paul Nicholls has revealed he dropped into the Ryman League Premier Division in a bid to win something and re-create some of his career highlights.

The 27-year-old former Chelsea trainee has starred in United's two opening pre-season wins at Croydon Athletic and a much-fancied Bromley outfit since switching from Rushden & Diamonds in the summer.

Nicholls, released by the Blues without making a start for the first team, started eight games in the Blue Square Premier last season before injury saw him drop down the pecking order.

It forced a re-think of his priorities seeing him drop two divisions for a crack at promotion with new Gander Green Lane boss Paul Doswell.

And the former Heybridge Swifts and Fisher Athletic shot-stopper believes it will have been worth it should his side bag the league title to secure a swift return to the Blue Square South.

"I finished runners-up in the Ryman Prem with Heybridge before losing to Hampton in the play-offs and did something similar with Havant & Waterlooville," he said.

"Those seasons are my fondest memories in the game. It is the seasons you remember and not the one-off occasions even though I've been lucky enough to be part of some good cup runs.

"Last year was frustrating because I pulled an adductor muscle and needed an operation at Christmas. It was also difficult juggling playing with work.

"I wasn't getting the best out of myself because of that. I'd rather drop down a league and win something, than do mediocre in another one.

"I want to have something to show for this season and with the ambitions this club and Paul Doswell have, I think it is possible."

Nicholls left the professional ranks at Stamford Bridge having failed to dislodge the likes of Dimitri Karin, Ed De Goey and Kevin Hitchcock from the Chelsea first team squad.

Successful spells at Heybridge, Havant & Waterlooville and Fisher Athletic saw him wind up at Rushden & Diamonds.

And Nicholls believes he has learnt enough to know a return to the professional is unlikely, but not entirely out of the question.

"When I was at Chelsea they had four World Cup keepers, so they were pretty high calibre. If you can;t learn from them then you'll never learn," he added.

"I had offers from a Conference clubs to go professional, but I felt my work and young family were more important because that will be my future.

"I can still perform at that level and if a big time move came along I would certainly think about it."