NATHAN Leonard has return to the helm of Guilsfield Football Club.

The club legend enjoyed a long association with the village club as player and manager before taking over at North West Counties side FC Oswestry Town last season.

However Leonard stepped down at Park Hall last week and is now relishing life back at Clos Mytton,

"It is great to be back at the club and I am thankful to be given the opportunity again by the chairman and committee," said Leonard.

"It was a no brainer to come once I got the call after leaving Oswestry. I have a lot of friends here and the dressing room is like no other and have missed it massively."

Leonard hopes to retain the bulk of last season's squad as he prepared for a return to JD Cymru North.

"I think most of the players are staying and that gives us a great base to work from, especially after how well the team did throughout last season," added Leonard.

"It was a great achievement to finish third in such a tough league but we will not be looking to stand still. Everyone wants to to push on now and who knows where that could take us.

"The league is very strong and in my short time away I have really missed the challenge of competitive games week in week out. Just look at the squads some clubs have assembled already."

Leonard admitted he had missed Welsh football and the JD Cymru North in particular.

"It really is a fantastic league and I honestly cannot wait to get stuck in again," added Leonard. "We know it will be difficult to finish in the top three again but we will quietly go about our business again and hopefully surprise a few."

Despite only being away a season, the Oswestry based manager believed he was returning an improved coach for his time with his hometown club.

Leonard said: "I believe I am coming back a better manager and coach. The players have improved and we will work our socks off pre-season to make sure we get to a great start, whenever that may be, with the aim to maintain our top six status and win some silverware."

Meanwhile a club statement welcomed the return of Leonard.

"He will have the utmost support from everyone involved with the club and we look forward to a really exciting season," said a club spokesman.