Hendon striker Leon Smith has turned down big-money offers from several Ryman League teams to sign up with Hendon for another season.

VCD Athletic, Leatherhead and Metropolitan Police all showed an interest in snapping up Smith, but the forward – who scored 25 goals last season – will be in contention to lead the line again for Gary McCann’s team when the season kicks off in August.

Following the play-off final defeat against Margate, Smith told this title that he was considering hanging up his boots to concentrate on his work and family life.

But, following discussions with McCann, he will carry on as the Dons bid to go one step further than last season by securing promotion to the Conference South.

McCann said: “Leon could have gone elsewhere. VCD offered to double what he is on with us. Leatherhead have a healthy budget and they were in for him and recently Met Police held talks with him, but he will be playing for Hendon again next season.

“He told your paper at the end of last season that he wasn’t happy as he wasn’t starting games in the second half of the season.

“We changed the shape of the team and went with Kezie Ibe through the middle on his own and performances improved.

“Leon is a temperamental character – not in a bad way. He is a great lad at heart. He just needs a kick up the rear end sometimes because he is so laid back!

“He is a goalscorer, which is why there were other managers wanting to sign him. We are pleased he has decided to stay with us.”

Smith also declared in May that if McCann could keep his squad together then Hendon would win the league this season.

Since then, Charlie Goode has signed for League One outfit Scunthorpe United and Peter Dean has joined Kingstonian while goalkeeper Ben McNamara has been released.

The Greens have brought in Mark Kirby from Enfield Town, Algerian youth international Mahrez Bettache from Corinthian-Casuals and keeper Joe Wright has arrived from Billericay Town, having also appeared for Bishop’s Stortford and Welling United after coming through the youth system at QPR.

The club are set to offer midfielder Courtney Harris a contract too. The youngster from Shepherd’s Bush was in the Fulham academy and had a spell with Charlton. After a spell out of the game he has impressed during pre-season training with the Dons and could prove to be an excellent acquisition.

AFC Hayes midfielder Jake Cass is also training with Hendon along with left winger Melvy N’Somi, who has previously played for Uxbridge, and former Chelsea youth team right-back Hassan Solomon.

McCann is in negotiations with two other midfielders as he looks to fill the hole left due to the long-term suspensions of captain Kevin Maclaren and his brother Casey.

The pair were banned by the Football Association for 12 and six months respectively following a bar brawl after December’s north London derby against Wingate & Finchley at Earlsmead.

The club are appealing the decision and McCann hopes the bans for the duo are reduced. He said: “They won’t start next season, we know that much. I hope the bans are reduced to six and three months.

“The appeal is at the end of July. I’ve got a decision to make about who will be captain now.

“Lee O’Leary is vice-captain so he might step up or I might opt to give it to Elliott Brathwaite and keep Leo in his vice-captain role.

“Kevin will continue to train with us and it will be our job as a management team to keep him as involved as possible and focused.

“Casey was ruled out for 11 weeks with a shoulder injury so he is viewing the ban using that experience. We’ve got midfielders in training and Courtney Harris has looked really good. He’s very much our type of player.”