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Midfielder Josh Wright feels he’s found a home at Ebbsfleet after signing a new deal for the 2024/25 season.
The 34-year-old former Charlton, Millwall and Gillingham man was an influential figure as the Fleet stayed up on the final day of the season.
Supporters will be delighted to see Wright return for another year and will be in no doubt about how much the club means to him.
“There's no hiding it, and everyone is by the way, that I'm only getting older and I'm nearly 35 but I keep saying these words, mind and mental, and I think so much of it is that,” said Wright.
“I do look after myself, I'm someone that's a bit of a health freak but in life nowadays, especially since Covid, you have to be, you have to give yourself every opportunity as you don't know what's around the corner in life.
“I thought I was maybe done or had enough as you know, but I found a new lease of life. Sometimes you just find a home and I feel like I've found a home here at Ebbsfleet.
“I love the place and if the worst had happened at Boreham Wood - and I never said the (relegation) word that week as I didn't want to - but if it did happen then it would have broken me.
“It would have hurt me hard. I've had scenarios in my career that have hurt me hard but for different reasons.
“People say you've been at higher levels, played a lot of games in the Championship, and been in semi-finals of the FA Cup but something feels different here. I love the place, the fans, all the staff, Damian (Irvine, chief executive), what a guy he is, and the owner as well.
“It's the helpers behind the scenes that not everyone sees or appreciates all the time but I see that day in, day out, and I've got a real close bond with this football club.
“I've had to stand up and lead, I might not be the one that's the prettiest on the eye or the quickest who is getting in behind and scoring goals and pulling trees up but I do what I can do to affect it.
“I feel that I'm efficient on the ball and I use my voice a lot. I try to lead the boys, that's what I can do and I've enjoyed it.”
Wright is the third player to agree a new deal at the club in recent days, following striker Dominic Samuel and goalkeeper Mark Cousins. The Fleet have also signed Jim Kellermann and Lewis Page while six players were already under contract from last season.