Sheppey United winger Danny Leonard on staying at Holm Park and rediscovering his best form after injury setback

The phone has quietened down since Sheppey announced Danny Leonard would be staying at Holm Park.

It was no surprise winger Leonard was a wanted man after an impressive season for the Ites.

He scored nine goals and provided 14 assists, despite missing four months through injury, as Ernie Batten’s side challenged for an Isthmian South East play-off place.

Sheppey had an option on the 27-year-old who was keen for an announcement to be made on his future as early as possible.

“You know what it’s like, you get managers messaging you, kind of 24/7, or you get a new message every day from a different club,” said Leonard.

“I wanted it done so I could enjoy the summer.

“There was a year option on my contract but, to be fair to Ernie, he said are you happy, do you want to stay?

“I just said yes and it was done.

“It was important to get it done early.”

Leonard went off injured during the Ites’ FA Cup first-round tie against League 2 Walsall in November.

He’d been playing with a suspected hernia but a scan showed a tendon issue in his hip.

He’s able to manage the problem and was back to his best by the end of the season as Sheppey won five of their last six games to finish seventh.

It was Leonard’s second year back with the Ites following a spell at Dartford in National League South.

He said: “My first season back wasn’t great personally and this season I set myself a target of double figures for goals and assists.

“I had the most assists and was one off for goals, and that was missing four months of the season.

“When I came back I was still kind of playing through the injury, so that was tough, but the last two or three months I got back to my best.

“I was a bit gutted the season ended and that was another reason I wanted to stay,