MICHAEL Clark has praised East Thurrock United after a successful loan spell saw him make his Football League debut in the closing weeks of last season.

The 19-year-old Leyton Orient defender was brought to Rookery Hill at the start of the 2016/17 season, the first time Rocks had ever played at that level.

He made 33 appearances for the National League South outfit before he was called back to the O’s in February, making nine appearances for Orient after breaking into the team.

And, although the club went on to be relegated from the Football League, Clark earned plenty of admirers in the closing weeks.

And he said he was so glad he opted to play at East Thurrock, amid other options.

“I did have other loan options,” admitted Clark, who penned a one-year deal with Orient in March.

“But East Thurrock were playing at the best level and (manager) John Coventry asked me to play in their last pre-season friendly - four days before the start of the new season.

“It was at Canvey Island and I did really well and then he wanted me to play in the first game (against Hungerford Town) and it went from there.

“I think I played almost every game after that, I might have missed one, but it was a really successful loan and I enjoyed it a lot.”

Clark played against the likes of Aldershot Town, Maidenhead United and Braintree Town in the FA Trophy last campaign, earning the player of the match award against the Shots and keeping a clean sheet against Maidenhead - who were promoted to the National League at the end of last season.

The teenager feels playing in such high profile games will stand him in good stead when the new season starts in August.

And he reserved special praise for another former Rocks defender, who is now plying his trade at Billericay Town, in the Ryman Premier League.

“Joe Ellul has moved on to Billericay now, but I really enjoyed playing with him and I learnt a lot from him,” explained Clark.

“He is really good aerially and playing with him helped me to learn which I felt I did in each game, especially at the start.

“I adapted after that and settled in when I played about three or four games and enjoyed it a lot more.

“I owe a lot to John Coventry as well. He was great for me.

“I played against Aldershot and Braintree in the FA Trophy with East Thurrock, so I would like to think I am well prepared for next season.”