Ernie Batten has welcomed James Taylor back to Sheppey United after the midfielder had a change of heart.

It was announced last month that Taylor, the former Crystal Palace youngster, would be leaving Holm Park.

But he’s back with the Ites and has inherited ex-skipper Richie Hamill’s No.6 shirt after his U-turn.

Taylor, 22, impressed last season after joining from Erith & Belvedere and has a big campaign coming up.

“He left and came back within a couple of weeks,” said Ites boss Batten.

“He was going to Wingate & Finchley and then I think the travelling was a bit much. Anyhow, he’s back.

“He did well for us last season and I’m pleased to have him back. He’s still very young and if he puts in a good season with us, it raises his profile.”

Hamill wore the No.6 shirt with distinction before ending his five-year stay at Sheppey with a move to Swale rivals Sittingbourne this summer.

It’s now in the hands of Taylor and Batten wants to see him thrive.

“It’s a big shirt to fill,” said the Ites boss. “I think he’ll have a good season. It was a bit of both, really, him wanting the No.6 and us offering it to him.

“It’s nice for players when they come in and have a squad number. It’s different to the old 1-11.”

Sheppey are back in pre-season training and drew 1-1 in a friendly at Punjab on Tuesday night.

They host Folkestone this Saturday with kick-off brought forward to 1pm to avoid finishing on top of England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final with Switzerland which starts at 5pm.

That’s followed by Chatham away next Tuesday (7.45pm).

“The first couple of sessions have been OK,” said Batten.

“We’re getting lads back off holiday as well.

“Normally the first week or so of pre-season you get a few not available.

“Fitness-wise, the players have come back in reasonable shape.

“We’re still looking to add one or two players to the squad and that could happen in the pre-season period.

“There’s players we’re waiting to get answers from.

“It’s been a crazy market this summer.

“A few clubs have done business early and the stakes get raised every season in terms of finances but we’ve got to be sensible and look after the club and hopefully we’ve done some good business.”

Batten has an extra pair of hands in the dugout this season with Darren Blackburn joining as assistant manager to work alongside him and Geoff Record.

Blackburn, the former Sittingbourne manager, has played a key role in recruitment.

“It’s going very well with Darren,” said Batten.

“He’s very enthusiastic and has good knowledge.

“He’s been working really hard on recruitment and also shaping pre-season.”

Batten, meanwhile, hopes attendances continue to rise at Holm Park this season.

Sheppey benefited from their history-making run to the FA Cup first and the exposure that brought.

The manager also feels non-league is picking up disillusioned Premier League fans.

“A lot of people are saying they’ve given up season tickets to Arsenal or Chelsea and are coming to watch non-league football, which is nice to know,” said Batten.

“Fans are getting so removed from the game at that level and it costs an arm and a leg.

“If you’ve got kids, you’re looking at a few hundred quid to go and watch a game.

“If you go and watch your local club, you can pay a tenner, have a nice day with the family and enjoy the football.

“You don’t have to travel and for a lot of people, that makes sense, plus you’re supporting your local club.

“Our crowds at the end of last season were 800, 1,000, 1,500, which is phenomenal.

“It’s brilliant the way the club’s grown.

“With the teams we’re introducing through the system, the youth, the pan-disability, the ladies, they all help the club grow.

“Whether it’s the players or their relatives, we get a percentage coming to watch the first team.”