Leamington bring back title-winning former skipper Stephen Morley

Leamington boss Paul Holleran has bolstered his squad by securing the return of former captain Stephan Morley from National League North rivals AFC Telford United.
The return of the club’s Southern League title winning skipper, pictured, on Monday was announced in a club statement, Holleran telling fans he was “delighted” to bring the defender back.
“We’re delighted to be able to bring Stephan back to the club,” said Holleran. “The opportunity arose at the back end of last week. I’d like to thank Gavin and Telford for helping to make it happen.
“I think the location of Leamington and the fact that he enjoyed his time here before was a big pull for him in deciding to return.
“I’m delighted to have him back. He was a big part of what we achieved while he was here and he only left due to a full time opportunity at another club.
“It certainly wasn’t a football decision that led to him leaving before, it was the chance to work full time in football which I understood. It’s great that he’s back on board, he’s a good experienced player at this level and will add to our defensive options.”
The Brakes say the 32-year-old will go straight into Holleran’s squad for Tuesday night’s clash with Hereford at the Phillips66 Community Stadium.
After leaving Leamington in February 2015 to join Corby Town and work within their coaching set-up, Morley went on to play for Brackley Town and Tamworth before signing for Telford in 2018.
Holleran swooped to bring Morley back four and a half years afer his departure after he slipped down the Bucks pecking order, having not been picked by Gavin Cowan since Telford’s win over Gloucester at the start of September.
Morley’s first spell with the Brakes kicked off in season 2010/11 when he signed from Halesowen Town. Over the next four and a half seasons he made 203 appearances, scoring 15 goals, and was skipper in 2012/13 when Leamington won the Southern League championship.
Meanwhile, another former player returned last week for a third spell. Reece Flanagan signed in September last year having previously spent a productive spell on loan at Leamington while with Walsall back in 2014.
He’d returned to the Midlands recently after a spell playing in the north of the country before Holleran snapped him up last week on a short term agreement.
Image courtesy of @telfordutd/Twitter