FORMER Saint Charlie Austin admitted he "regrets" his public falling out with supporters, adding "it shouldn't have happened."

In February 2020, while playing for West Brom, Austin got into an online altercation with Southampton fans, who he described as "s***."

He was later asked by the Football Association to explain the offensive comments aimed at the club's fans on Twitter, now known as X.

Austin has returned to football in Hampshire this week, joining seventh-tier AFC Totton following his exit from Swindon Town. 

The 35 year old sat down to discuss his return to the south coast and reflected on his comments from four years ago.

"Of course I regret it, it left a sour taste in the mouth," Austin told the Daily Echo. "I'd had a couple of beers. It was more tongue and cheek and then it got way out of hand.

"I enjoyed my time at Saints. They gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League and the Europa League.

Charlie Austin scored 20 goals in 81 appearances at Southampton Charlie Austin scored 20 goals in 81 appearances at Southampton (Image: PA)

"We got to the League Cup final and lost to Manchester United but there is a black cloud because of a blip on my behalf.

"It kind of snowballed. I look back and think that shouldn't have happened. Of course, it shouldn't have.

"That's why I don't like the fact that when things get spoken about, that's what people mention. It's come from me by the way, I fully hold my hands up there.

"I've made a couple of mistakes in my career. I put in a transfer request when I was first at Swindon, had I been older I would have known it eventually happens.

"Then I had that and I think cor, could I have dealt with that better? 100 per cent."

Austin scored 12 times in League Two for Swindon Town last season and surprised many by dropping to the seventh tier.

Totton first made contact with the former QPR man in May but it took some time for a deal to be agreed.

Austin was eager to remain in the EFL but none of the offers he received piqued his interest enough to move away from his family.

"I had offers to play in the football league but things didn't fit the family. We still live in the same place as I did while I was playing for Saints.

"I moved to the other side of the world for six months. I came back and my kids are in school and settled. I didn't want to move up north for a year. 

"I'm at a point in my career where I still want to play. I've still got a real love and hunger for football.

"It was something that arose. I'm really appreciative of everyone at Totton because they showed patience. 

"I told them at the start that I wanted to play in the Football League. Nothing took my fancy. I didn't want to travel.

"I picked the conversation back up with James Beattie and the manager and here I am, I'm delighted to be here."