Craig Mahon is playing his football with a smile on his face once again.
The Chester FC winger has been in excellent form in recent games and looks to be back to his best, showing all the pace and trickery that made him such a fans favourite since he first joined the club in the summer of 2013.
By his own admittance, last season proved to be a struggle for the diminutive Irishman but he believes he is back to his best and says that he is part of 'something special' this season with the Blues.
Said Mahon: "It's fantastic. I'm starting to play with a smile on my face once again and it's what I have wanted the whole time.
"Last year was really tough for me. I don't know whether it was not playing all the time or just not having the confidence in myself.
"But when I came in this year I sat down with the gaffer and he said he knew what I could do and knew what I was about and just told me to go out and do it. He said not to worry and play my game.
"I was patient at the start of the year to get into the team and since then I have taken my chance and made sure I stay there.
"The gaffer and Sharpy are fantastic. The feel around the club is unbelievable and the lads that he has brought in have been fantastic. It is great to be a part of and I come to training every day looking forward to it.
"I went home after the game the other night and I was happy with some aspects but the next stage for me is to start scoring.
"I've worked hard and created opportunities and get at defenders. Now it is time to start scoring goals and kick us on as a team."
Despite only being 27, Mahon is a something of a Chester veteran now having been signed by former manager Neil Young from Vauxhall Motors following Chester's promotion to non-league football's top tier in 2013.
Mahon played under Young and then Steve Burr, with several memorable performances along the way, perhaps most notably his sublime display in the FA Cup second round draw at Barnsley in December 2014.
But Mahon believes that the current crop is the best he has been a part of at Chester and believes, despite the club's up and down start, that something special can be achieved.
"There is something special happening here," said Mahon.
"From the players to the backroom staff to the physios, we can feel something special happening here. The way the gaffer and Sharpy go about there business, we are very lucky to have this here. We just have to make sure we convey what they want us to do out on the pitch.
"Consistency is crucial in any league. It is the main thing for us this year. We have to keep going and going for those three points. It doesn't matter if it's Forest Green, Braintree, Guiseley, Tranmere or Wrexham, we want to win three points.
"The lads the gaffer has brought in have been fantastic. It's not just how they play on the pitch it's what they are like off it and we have a great group and it's great to be a part of it.
"I'd never knock a previous manager. The likes of Neil Young and Steve Burr gave me a fantastic opportunity and some great experience but this year is something special I think."
