Joe Leesley unlikely to play for Harrogate Town again after loan switch to Boston United is agreed

The 27-year-old winger has a year left to run on his deal at Wetherby Road, but has not featured for the Sulphurites since their promotion to the Football League (EFL).

“You should never say ‘never’ in football, but I don’t think Joe will play for the club again now that it’s been agreed that he will return to Boston,” Town manager Simon Weaver said.

“He’s a good lad and we thank him for his contribution. What he has done here is right up there with anything anyone has achieved in our recent history.

"He had that golden season in National League North and scored some great goals and chipped in with so many assists. His set-piece delivery is as good as anybody's, but unfortunately we haven't been able to take everyone with us, as much as we might have liked to.

“He’s someone who wants to be playing football and that’s why he’s gone back out on loan, so he’s not sat on the sidelines.”

Leesely, a former England ‘C’ international is one of Town’s longest-serving players having joined the club from Alfreton in June 2016.

He played a starring role during the club’s promotion from the sixth tier in 2017/18, a campaign which saw him crowned National League North Player of the Year.

He started 2019/0 with a bang, netting a stunning strike against Solihull Moors on the opening day, but went on to spend most of that season out on loan, initially with Stockport County, then at League Two Stevenage.

He was however included in Harrogate’s squad for their play-off semi-final and final clashes, but remained an unused substitute on each occasion as a first-ever promotion to League Two was secured.

And, Weaver informed the player that he would have limited opportunities during 2020/21 before their maiden voyage in the EFL got underway, a loan switch to Boston eventually materialising in November of last year.

In total, Leesley has made 134 starts for Harrogate, contributing 34 goals and 71 assists.