AN FA Cup star who is currently serving time in jail for drug offences has re-signed for the team he shone for last year and is set to be released in time for the start if next season.

Mike Bacon

AN FA Cup star who is currently serving time in jail for drug offences has re-signed for the team he shone for last year and is set to be released in time for the start if next season.

Danny Cunningham, 21, was in sensational form for Ridgeons League Leiston as the club fought their way to an FA Cup first round clash with Fleetwood last season.

But it was before one of those FA Cup ties, away at Lewes, that Cunningham was arrested and taken off the team bus to a station in Sussex for questioning.

He was jailed for two years.

"Footballing wise this is excellent news for Leiston Football Club,” said Leiston chairman Andy Crisp.

"Obviously as a club we do not condone drugs in any shape or form, but Danny is soon to complete his sentence and we will assist him with his rehabilitation when our pre-season programme gets under way.

“With the help of his family and Danny's rehabilitation officer we want to ensure Danny can rekindle his love of football again at a club where all the players and supporters are fully behind the decision to accept him back.

“Indeed Danny was on the top of his game before his arrest and we hope he will find that form on the field again and the fact he will be in a Leiston shirt rather than any possible opponents, is great news for us.”

Cunningham has always been a popular figure at Leiston and he has signed a contract from his Norwich prison cell, despite interest from other clubs.

He even sent a note to be read out at the end-of-season presentation night thanking everyone at Leiston for their support.

Leiston have also added to their squad by signing Neil Calver from Hadleigh United, and have given a year's extension to Brett Girling.