Tonbridge Angels are delighted to welcome to the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium Noel Leighton, a 25 year-old striker who had a prolific season with Isthmian South East Three Bridges last term.

Noel is a local lad, born and brought up in Edenbridge, spending his formative youth years at Millwall, where he scored plenty of goals and not always as a forward, one season scoring 35 goals as a centre midfielder.

On his release from the New Den, Leighton joined Dagenham and Redbridge in the National League from where he had a loan spell at Woking.

In February of 2019, he was loaned to Margate, where he joined up with our manager Jay Saunders and at the beginning of the 2019/20 season, Jay signed Noel on a permanent transfer to Hartsdown Park.

Noel found his way to Three Bridges in November 2021 and his time there has brought him to the attention of clubs higher up the pyramid, having scored around 60 goals in less than three seasons at the Jubilee Field, 41 last season without taking a penalty. Unfortunately, his season at Three Bridges ended in heartache as, having disposed of Sittingbourne in the play-off semi-final, they succumbed to a home defeat in the final to Chichester City.

Jay Saunders said of his capture: “Noel is someone I have worked with before and what he gives you is a great work ethic and he is a great character as well. I feel that he is someone that can come into this level, having played National League before. He is still a young age and someone who can really add to the squad and hopefully add goals to us.”

Noel, excited to be back in the National League, commented: “Buzzing to get the opportunity at such a great club. Can’t wait to get in with the boys and help push this club to some new heights.”