Prolific striker Noel Leighton speaks about his move to Tonbridge Angels after scoring 41 goals for Three Bridges during the 2023/24 season

Tonbridge new boy Noel Leighton turned down 20 moves during his prolific season with Three Bridges.

That was the number of seven-day approaches that came in for the striker as he rattled in 41 goals.

Leighton’s form helped the unfancied Sussex club set the early pace in Isthmian South East before making the play-off final.

He was the very definition of an in-demand player, with clubs falling over themselves to sign him.

But it’s Tonbridge who’ve got their man, with Leighton, 25, reunited with Jay Saunders, his old boss at Margate.

“Three Bridges as a club were magnificent - I couldn’t fault them at all,” said Leighton, whose haul included a hat-trick in a 5-4 win at eventual champions Cray Valley.

“I was never going to leave during the season.

“I genuinely thought we were going to get promoted and moving to Step 3 or another Step 4 club was of no benefit to me.

“They could offer me loads of money but I don’t play for money.

“I want to enjoy my football and make my mark.

“I had 20 seven-day approaches but nothing was going to push me on. My mind was set.

“There were four seven-dayers in one week.

“Certain games like the Cray game, when I scored a hat-trick, they were so much better than us, which is why they won the league.

“But without blowing my own trumpet, I pulled us through that game and that was their only loss, so when you get a game like that you’re going to get noticed.

“Clubs knew Three Bridges’ budget wasn’t good, and that they could offer me more money, but that’s not my motivation.”

Leighton decided it was time for a new challenge at the end of the season following Bridges’ play-off final defeat by Chichester.

But it had to be right club - and Tonbridge fit the bill.

The former Dagenham man is stepping back