LUKE Coulson’s stay in the Football League has been short-lived.

The talented wideman, who left Eastleigh for Barnet in January this year, has returned to non-League with Ebbsfleet United.

The Fleet – managed by another ex-Eastleigh man Daryl McMahon - are joining the Spitfires in the Vanarama National League this season after winning the VNL South play-offs.

Coulson, 23, spent nine years at Manchester City’s academy before joining Cardiff City in 2012.

Eastleigh made him their record signing when he arrived from Oxford City in January last year and he impressed to such a degree that he earned an England C call-up. He turned his county down, however, because of the Spitfires’ involvement in the FA Cup.

After scoring six goals in the first half of the 2016/17 season, Coulson became a record sale for Eastleigh when he joined Barnet.

He made his Football League debut for the Bees as a substitute against Newport County on January 21, but was handed just four starts by the north Londoners, making 11 appearances in all.

Ebbsfleet boss McMahon said: “Luke has good experience, he’s a player that will be familiar to Ebbsfleet fans.

“We all know what he was like at Oxford City, he terrorised us a couple of times.

“He’s another one who’s exciting and direct, good pace and a powerful runner.

“He’s a good 1v1 player who can get goals.

“He went from Oxford to Eastleigh and did really well for them. He was talked of about getting a move to the Championship at the time.

“It didn’t quite come through for him and it hasn’t really worked out for him at Barnet, but he’s coming in here at 23 years old and we’ve got another one at a good, young age with so much potential to do very well for us.”

A Barnet statement said: “We would like to wish Luke all the best going forward in his career and thank him for his efforts whilst at The Hive."