THURROCK have denied suggestions that the signing of reality TV star Mark Wright is a “gimmick”.

The Only Way Is Essex celebrity signed for Fleet on Monday – less than six weeks after his high-profile arrival at Ryman One North side Heybridge Swifts.

The 24-year-old, who started his football career with Southend United, was set to be included in Thurrock’s squad for Tuesday night’s derby with Dartford at Ship Lane.

Thurrock press officer Tony Flood said the club hopes Wright will be a useful addition to their squad.

He said: “He’s played for the England non-league team before, and he has played for us before.

“He played here four seasons ago under Hakan Hayrettin and was one of the best left backs we have had in my opinion.

“He says he is serious about playing here, and he is committed to play for us at least until January.

“I know there has been some talk from rival clubs on the internet that it is a gimmick signing, but that is not the case.

“He is still in his mid 20s and he strengthens our team in a position we need to strengthen, and we hope he will do well.”

Flood said Wright was likely to provide competition for full-back Reece Harris following Kurt Robinson’s move to Concord Rangers.

Meanwhile, Swifts boss Mark Hawkes said the transfer was news to him – but admitted Wright was unlikely to play for Swifts again anyway due to his lack of availability.

Hawkes said: “Mark is still signed on as a Heybridge Swifts player and I wasn’t aware he’d joined Thurrock.

“He can’t commit full-time anyway, though.

“And we only want players here who can make themselves available every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

“Anything less is no good to us and that applies to everyone at the club.

“We don’t want people who can play one week and not the next.

“We need consistency and continuity, so we can work on things in training and in games.”

Hawkes did reveal, though, that he was disappointed that striker Bertie Brayley had left to join Fleet.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t get more out of him during his time with us,” he said.

Brayley played in Fleet’s 3-1 defeat at Dover Athletic on Saturday.