Bristol City loanee Harry Leeson has recently extended his stay with the Tigers after a grand first spell with his new club.
Leeson arrived at the National League North side back in October originally on a short-term loan. However, an impressive spell under Mike Cook influenced the club to maintain the 20-year-old to bolster the back line and further develop the player.
Now reunited with the squad, Leeson said: “I’ve spoken to Cookie and I am here until the end of the season. It is good for me to get experience in men’s football. I have come here to learn and that’s what I’m doing. There is a decent group of lads here, They are good to be around and good to take notes off.”
The Wales Under 21 International has made 14 appearances for the Tigers this season, starting 10 under Cook at right-back. However, due to injury problems at the club, Leeson has now been challenged with the task of playing on the opposite side of the defence.
The transition into men’s football was not what the defender expected, stating: “It is a lot more physical. It’s not like playing under 21s, here I am getting roughed about a little more and playing people almost double my age. But to progress as a player I understand this is what I have to get used to if I want to progress my game and break into the first team back at Bristol. The boys here see that and want to push me in the right direction.”
“Every game here matters really. We have to get three points; with the situation, it is a battle every game. It’s not like academy football where you play in a league to develop, I’ve realised in men’s football three points could mean your future in the game.”
Gloucester is currently sat 22nd in the league with a massive game against King’s Lynn Town on the weekend who is only one point ahead with a game extra played.
“We know the importance of this game, everybody does,” said Leeson. “The fans, players and the gaffer all know this game could be a make-or-break fixture on our push for survival.”
The club has had a recent good spell of form after they picked up back-to-back league wins for the first time this season. One of those wins broke the Tiger’s shocking away form record with their only victory on the road in 9 months coming against Banbury a few weeks back.
Leeson must now fill the shoes of the injured Harry Emmett who reportedly broke his collarbone in the previous game when Gloucester faced Bishop’s Stortford in a 4-1 win for the Tigers.
With no return date yet for Emmett, Leeson could now face his biggest challenge in men’s football with important games coming up for the 20-year-old.
