MATT Price has been backed to succeed after starting his East Thurrock United career in style.

Price has made the move to the Grayers Graphics Stadium following his departure from Isthmian North high-flyers Heybridge Swifts.

And, having seen the striker score in the 2-0 Essex Thameside Trophy victory over Great Wakering Rovers just a matter of hours after sealing his switch to the Isthmian Premier League Rocks, boss John Coventry is pleased to have Price on board.

Coventry said: “I have been looking at signing Pricey for a long time and it has been on and off for a few years.

“I’m sure a lot of clubs had been speaking to him because he had not been getting games at Heybridge.

“He wanted to play and he is friends with someone I am friends with, so contact was made that way.

“I know what I will get from him and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do for us.”

Price has completed his switch to East Thurrock following a productive spell at Heybridge.

The former Horsham, Tooting & Mitcham United and Brentwood Town frontman joined Heybridge in January 2018 and got his hands on the Isthmian North Golden Boot award at the end of the 2017/18 season.

But Price’s game-time has been hampered this term having been sidelined with a lengthy illness.

Price missed the start of the campaign and returned to competitive action in September.

However, the striker scored an impressive 44 goals in 56 starts for Heybridge and Coventry hopes Price will prove to be as productive when leading the line alongside Frankie Merrifield.

“Frankie has been superb for us but I always thought we needed to bring in a second striker,” added Coventry.

“If anything happened to him, there was no replacement.

“I want them to play together and they are similar because they both work their socks off.

“Having two strikers will increase our stats and we’re hoping that it will result in us scoring more goals.”

Loan signing Darren Foxley joined Price on the scoresheet as Rocks booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Essex Thameside Trophy.

And Coventry was keen to praise teenage grandson Jack Coventry-James, who shone.

“Only three who played on Saturday started the game,” admitted Coventry.

“There were lots of trialists and, although I used all five substitutes, there were still five senior players who were not involved at all.

“Those who played did well and I was particularly pleased with my grandson.

“It was Jack’s best performance for us. I’m his biggest critic but he kept it simple and that’s what I like.

“He made sensible decisions and there are signs of progression.”