Danny Leonard’s “nerve-racking” return to Sheppey could yet end in play-off glory.

Leonard rejoined the Ites last summer after spending a year with Dartford.

The winger showed his quality at Princes Park but found it hard to juggle National South commitments with work and family life.

Sheppey, fresh from winning the quadruple, went back in for him and while Leonard took time to rediscover his best form, he’s been a big part of an Ites team who are fighting for an Isthmian South East play-off place.

“I loved the year I spent at Dartford but it’s nice to be back at Sheppey,” said Leonard, who scored the winner in a 1-0 victory at Ashford on Easter Monday.

“It feels like I’ve never been away.

“It was a bit nerve-racking coming back but the fans have been great with me.

“The move to Dartford came out of the blue.

“We knew they were looking but it kind of just happened and I was gone.

“So there was that side of it and there was pressure because Sheppey won four trophies last year.

“I know we’ve gone up a league, so there’s pressure on everyone, but I put pressure on myself to hit the form I was in before.

“I had a target at the start of the season to get into double figures for both assists and goals.

“I’ve got 15 or 16 assists and I need two more goals after scoring on Monday.

“If I could get double figures in both, that would be a good return.”

Sheppey’s win at Ashford was their fourth in a row, having also beaten Three Bridges 3-2 on Saturday, and a sixth in seven games.

They’ve been one of the form sides in the division since Christmas, working their way up the table under player-boss Jack Midson, who’s impressed in his first season in charge.

The Ites, who host Lancing in their penultimate game tomorrow, are a point outside the play-offs in sixth place.

Cray Valley, the side immediately above them, have a game in hand but Sheppey are well in contention.

“I didn’t think we’d be in this position after the start we had,” said Leonard. “I think it’s going to go to the wire.

“We had a turning point where a few players from last year left in the space of a month and new players came in.

"Jono Richardson (player-assistant boss) coming back has been a massive influence. He and Jack work well together.

Jono’s got that experience at this level that a lot of the boys haven’t got and he’s rubbed off on people, including myself.

"The players Jack’s brought in have really helped and we all know each other.

“We had a 10-game unbeaten run and it gave us confidence.

"We crept up the league slowly and had a few big results.

"Jack’s done very well. He’s not one of those who screams and shouts, like some managers I’ve been under.

"I had a bad start in terms of my form when I came back.

"I was in and out but Jack stuck with me and it’s nice to hit a bit of form.”

The mood could hardly be better at Sheppey as the club continue their pursuit of back-to-back promotions.

A happy camp makes such a difference on the pitch and that feeling of togetherness has been heightened by the appointment of new chief executive Shelley Holtam last week.

“I just think at the moment it’s a good place to be,” said Leonard.

“I’ve been at clubs where players aren’t playing for each other or you know they want to be getting out of the club but I don’t feel that at Sheppey.

“We’ve got a squad of 16-18 and even the under-23s who come along to training, everyone turns up, everyone’s got a smile on their face. It’s rare to find that.

“In non-league you’ve got to enjoy where you’re playing and everyone enjoys it at Sheppey.

“We’ve got a new CEO in place and she took the time to stand in the tunnel and greet every player. It’s personal touches like that which make a difference.”