Former Gillingham player Ben Clark has committed to Sheppey United next season after a lengthy trial with League 2 side Colchester United

Midfielder Ben Clark is back for another season at Sheppey United and the management team are hoping for big things.

Clark returned to the Ites for the final month of the season following a long spell on trial at League 2 side Colchester United. He’d initially gone to Sheppey to play football, joining them permanently after being released by Gillingham in January.

Joint-boss Ian Batten was impressed with the performances they got from Clark and is excited to see what the youngster can bring to the table without distraction next season.

Batten said: “Along with Jacob Lambert, he was our standout man, last season. He played five games for us [at the end of the season] and he was great.

“He won tackles, was energetic, good on the ball. I was really impressed with him. I think everyone at the club felt exactly the same.

“I spoke to him at the end of the season, I said, ‘Results aside, did you enjoy it?’ He said, ‘Do you know what? I just enjoyed playing football’. You could see that.

“We obviously struggled last season, but he stood out because he was getting tackles in, and even in a struggling side, he was still enjoying playing.

“I think he needs consistency and a run of games, I think he’ll be even better next season.”

The Ites are on a recruitment drive after a disappointing campaign, with Clark being their 11th player announcement.

Sheppey are looking for a first-team squad of around 18, so there’s still room for more additions, although players can’t be formally registered yet, either.

More announcements were expected this week, with a goalkeeper close to agreeing a move to the Ites.

“I’m on the phone every day,” said Batten, who managed a few days away recently.

“It’s quite exhausting, actually, but it’s something