by RICK COWDERY

PAUL Wotton has come home.

The living Pilgrims' legend has rejoined his hometown club for a second stint following a three-and-a-half year hiatus during which his absence was arguably more keenly felt than was anticipated when he left Home Park in the summer of 2008.

Argyle Hall of Famer Paul, 34, has re-signed for his boyhood idols after being released by npower League 1 Yeovil, for who he had been playing since the start of last year.

'Hardest Shot In The Football League': Wottsy scores his last goal for the club, a penalty against Preston in 2008

So returns the most successful captain in the club's history; twice player of the year; once leading scorer; one of only nine players who has made 400 or more starts for Argyle out of the 950-plus Pilgrims to have represented the club.

Wottsy was previously at Home Park for 17 years, boy and man, making 438 appearances and scoring 63 goals, most of them thunderous free-kicks or howitzer penalties, and has now signed a deal that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2013.

He skippered the Greens through the golden days of the early part of the 21st century, picking up two divisional titles in three seasons as the Pilgrims marched from the Football League basement to the Championship.

Making A Point: Paul Wotton, as passionate as ever

He first pulled on the Green in February 1995 - for a 3-2 defeat at Shrewsbury - and last wore the colours of his beloved Pilgrims a little more than 13 years later, when two late Preston goals deprived him of a winning Home Park curtain-call.

Following that emotional farewell, he joined Southampton and immediately proved his Janner credentials by helping the Saints to a 3-1 League Cup victory over Exeter City on his debut.

Following a loan spell at Oxford in November 2010, Wottsy joined Yeovil, initially on loan.

His first game for the Glovers - on New Year's Day 2011 - was also his first and only at Home Park when he was not wearing the Green with pride.

We Meet Again: Paul takes on Argyle manager Carl Fletcher in last year's match with Yeovil

Naturally, he received a standing ovation from the Green Army when his name was called out on the PA system.

He is, and always will be, an Argyle legend.