EAST THURROCK UNITED Home ground: Rookery Hill, Corringham

Division: Ryman Premier

Manager: John Coventry

Arrivals: Ryan Scott, Tom Wraight, Kris Newby, pictured below right, Rickie Hayles, Harry Honesty, George Craddock, Sammy Knott, Lukas Lidakevicius

Departures: Tom Stephen, Paul Goodacre, David Hughes, Manny Osei, Nicky Symons, Max Cornhill

Last season’s finish: 13th

Pre-season form: East Thurrock have won all but one of their pre-season matches so far, albeit all five of those triumphs have come against sides in Ryman One North.

East Thurrock played Concord Rangers last night (after the Echo went to press) in their final match, although Coventry is unconcerned at the standard of the opposition they have faced. Rocks’ only reverse to date came against Dagenham & Redbridge.

First game of the season: Billericay Town are the visitors in what promises to be an exciting start to the new campaign. Town have added a host of new signings, while Rocks have also strengthened. However a win against a play-off rival could fire out an early warning to their top five rivals, of which there are expected to be plenty.

What the gaffer says: Pre-season has been really good. Ever since we came back there has been a good feel around the place and I go into this season with the strongest squad I have ever had.

We have recruited well and it a completely different story to this time last year when I didn’t feel we were ready. It is exciting to be starting off with a derby as well as a good start can really put the team in a good place and the longer that goes on the better.

It is going to be a tight season, but we will be looking to improve on last season and go for play-offs.

Echo prediction, seventh: East Thurrock have recruited well in the right areas this summer and look to have a stronger defensive unit than last time out.

The return of Connor Witherspoon – who left to join Maldon & Tiptree at the start of the summer but then did a U-turn – could also prove significant as he became increasingly influential last season while Wraight and Newby are exciting additions in attacking areas.

Having 44-goal striker Sam Higgins on board helps too, although whether his new role as captain will hinder his strike rate remains to be seen.