BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent striker Aaron Condon has vowed to lead from the front – both in terms of scoring and creating goals but also by using his influence and experience.

The 28-year-old has re-joined the R’s from Bostik League division north side Coggeshall Town.

He was cup-tied for Saturday’s FA Trophy duel with AFC Hornchurch but is poised to make his second debut in tonight’s Bostik League premier division clash against Wingate and Finchley, at the Taydal Stadium.

Former FC Clacton hero Condon wants to hit the ground running and knows he has an important role to play as one of the squad’s more senior players.

“I’m very happy to be back because I had two great years here,” he told the Gazette.

“The first was fantastic. We bossed the league the season we won the north division.

“No-one could really touch us and I was delighted to finish with 37 goals.

“Then in the second it took me a little while to realise what a jump it is from step four to step three.

“I underestimated it a bit and maybe expected to do better than scoring 14 or 15 goals.

“When I left, I feel I needed a bit of a change, but it’s taken that time away to help me see what a good club Brightlingsea are.

“(Manager) Tom (Rothery) was great about me coming back. It was lovely to catch up and it’s clear we get on well.

“Now it would be nice to hit the ground running.

“I know it’s still pretty early in the season but we’re at that stage where goals and points really matter in every game.

“We need to be giving ourselves targets, starting with one by Christmas.

“Realistically, staying in the division has to be our target – we’re at a very high level of football with a low budget, probably the lowest in the division - and if we can have two or three years in this division and continue to build then we’re doing well.”

Condon, who plundered 51 goals in 103 appearances during his previous spell at Regent, is looking forward to rekindling his attacking partnership with Billy Hunt – the two-goal hero of Saturday’s FA Trophy success against AFC Hornchurch.

And as one of the elder statesmen in a young squad, he is keen to do his bit to help and encourage his more inexperienced team-mates.

“Billy and I had a great relationship and hopefully that can develop even more,” he said.

“Hopefully I can supply him with a few more goals.

“I’m more than happy for him to be the main man up front and just need to do my bit to help him – as long as he does all my running!

“I can’t wait to get going again and it’s also nice that since coming back people are talking about me being a bit of a leader out there.

“I like that and look forward to trying to help the younger players.

“I’m at that stage of my career now and remember what it felt like to look up to people like (former Clacton team-mates) Paul and Sean Hillier, James Dunkley and Mark White.

“They made me a better player and I want to play my part now.

“I’m a teacher and love seeing people develop. I get a real kick out of that.

“People listen to you and see you in a different light.

“We’ve got a few older heads like myself but then there’s a big drop to some of the lads who are 18 and 19.”

Not that Condon considers himself the finished article yet – one of the main reasons he was keen to work under R’s manager Rothery again.

“Tom’s very keen to make his players the best they can possibly be,” he said.

“He gets as much pleasure in helping a player improve and develop as he does winning a game.

“That’s important and while I know I’m an experienced, senior player, I still want to get better and certainly don’t consider myself the finished article.”