JACK Giddens says he wasn’t willing to be number two for a second consecutive season following his move to East Thurrock United.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper has joined Rocks from National League South rivals Billericay Town.

Giddens played second fiddle to Alan Julian last season, starting just 11 matches in Town’s 74 match campaign.

And he said he was always eager to make the move once East Thurrock chief John Coventry contacted him.

“I am looking forward to it,” said Giddens, who made his 100th appearance for Town last term.

“Once Covo gave me a call and mentioned the situation it really was pretty straight-forward. I weighed up my options and this was the best one.

“It is a chance to play regular football in the National League South and it’s a really exciting opportunity.

“With the squad Billericay have and the lads that dropped down from the National League I was pretty much playing at that level anyway. The standard was really high.

“I have known Covo a little time and although I have never worked with him I know what sort of a man he is. We had a good conversation and it was all good things about the club and himself and why he wanted to sign me.”

Giddens may not have played much last year but his contributions were telling. He was between the sticks in both the Essex Senior Cup and Isthmian League Cup victories, although he only made one league appearance.

Despite his best efforts he was unable to get ahead of Julian in the pecking order.

But Giddens, who says he was offered a new deal at the AGP Arena, has nothing bad to say about the club following his exit.

“For me it is about playing and getting into the swing of things,” he said. “I was number two at Billericay and getting back playing is important.

“Covo has offered me that opportunity and I am looking forward to it.

“I loved my time at Billericay. The fans and the club were always good to me and I had a good crack at it last year but Jules was number one and I get on really well with him. He’s a lovely man but it was hard as I wanted the team to win but when he is pulling worldies out of the bag I knew I wasn’t getting back in.

“When I played I did my part but I wanted to play this year. I was offered a new deal but moving on was sensible.”

Giddens made his debut for Billericay against East Thurrock in August 2015.

And the stopper wondered whether his man-of-the-match display that day was part of the reason Coventry wanted to bring him in.

“My debut was against East Thurrock and I had a stormer,” he laughed. “I don’t know if that stuck in his head or not but I am really pleased to make the move and I can’t wait to get underway again now.”