EAST Thurrock United manager Lee Patterson has blasted much-travelled striker Steve West, saying the former Rocks player has reneged on a deal to return to Rookery Hill.

West, who lives in Grays, played for Rocks last season before leaving on a lucrative deal to join Fisher in their promotion run-in, a move which Patterson said he helped make happen by releasing the player from his contract.

This season West signed for Ryman Premier League Leyton but was released by the London club last week.

Rocks boss Patterson takes up the tale, saying: "Steve rang me to ask about the possibility of returning to Rookery Hill after leaving Leyton on Saturday morning.

"He came and met us at 6.30 on Saturday night and we agreed terms on a deal and he signed the league registration form.

"He was given a club tracksuit and shook hands with me and as far as I knew he was coming on Tuesday night to play against Folkestone. His form was faxed to the league earlier tonight before I found out he had been touting himself to Thurrock.

"When I rang him to ask what was going on, he told me he has signed a deal with Eastleigh.

"To make things worse I had released a player earlier in the evening to balance the books so we could sign him. I was under the impression that if you give your word and shake hands on a deal then it is done. That obviously doesn't mean anything with Steve.

"Having played with him as a team mate and he has played under me before I expected him to act in a more professional way. I even helped him with his move to Fisher which he wanted due to financial reasons and this is how he repays it."