FORMER Billericay Town defender Steve Sheehan said the lure of returning to Canvey Island was too great to turn down, after he and Richard Halle made the move to the Gulls.

Both Sheehan and Halle re-joined the Gulls on Friday, having just played an integral part in Billericay’s season in the Ryman Premier League.

Halle, 33, scored a career-high 16 goals last campaign, having been chosen to skipper the side by Craig Edwards last summer.

But he and Sheehan, 24, who featured at centre-back and right-back last year having signed from East Thurrock United, have now returned to the Prospects Stadium.

Halle has already made more than 100 appearances for Canvey in two spells, in 2006/07 in Ryman One North before rejoining the following season as the Gulls won promotion.

Sheehan last played for the club during the 2011/12 season, alongside current vice-captain John Easterford.

He made 40 starts, scoring twice in between spells at Rookery Hill with East Thurrock.

And Sheehan said it was a move that excited them, having met with the Gulls hierarchy last week.

“I was really impressed with the ambition the club had on meeting the manager and chairman,” said Sheehan, who won the Essex Senior Cup with Canvey back in 2012. “It wasn’t a case of wanting to leave Billericay at all as it was one of the best dressing rooms I have ever been involved with, and I would only have left for Canvey.

“In the end it was an easy decision for me.”

Both players are recognised as strong characters and Sheehan said Heale admitted his young Canvey side lacked leadership last year, as they only survived relegation on the final day of the season.

“The word leadership was mentioned,” he said. “Canvey had a young side but Richard and I will bring that bit of experience.

“This team has the potential to go far. With two of the most well-resourced sides winning promotion last year (Maidstone United and Margate) this league is wide open and we want to make an impression on it.”

Gulls boss Danny Heale said the signings of the Town pair signals Canvey’s intentions for the new campaign, as they look to mount a challenge on the play-offs.

“Richard and Steve are two excellent signings for us and demonstrate our intentions for what we are trying to build,” said Heale. “They bring with them a wealth of experience and are both natural leaders which is exactly what we need to push on this season.

“Having both played here before they know exactly what the club is all about and they'll both add something to the dressing room in terms of their personalities.”

l Billericay have signed Frankie Curley from AFC Hornchurch and former midfielder Chris Bourne.