GLENN Poole says he is returning to Thurrock to play for the best manager he has ever worked with after leaving Billericay Town.

The 35-year-old has moved back to the club for a third spell, having played for them before and after he played in the Football League.

He will now link up once again with manager Mark Stimson in the Ryman One North, having played under him at Grays Athletic and Barnet in the past after being offered a chance to help coach the first-team squad.

And he says the move is one that excites him greatly.

“It is no secret that I want to go into management in the future and I have been given a great opportunity to help out at Thurrock,” he said. “I know and respect the people there and although I don’t know how much coaching will be involved it will still be great to be involved with senior players.

“I still want to play as much as I can and I think I still have a lot to offer. This is a club which has come close to promotion on a number of occasions and it is more than capable to doing it next year.

“It is the only side I would have stepped down a level to play for and I am already looking forward to getting started.”

Poole had been linked with the vacant manager’s role at Grays Athletic, now filled by Jamie Stuart, but says he is not ready for such a big step quite yet.

“I was linked with that position but I couldn’t go for anything like that yet,” he said. “Who knows what will happen in the future but this is the right move in my career for now.

“Thurrock dangled the coaching carrot and I was more than happy to accept.”

Stimson added Poole would be an asset to the squad having joined from the Ryman Premier League.

“As Scott Barrett (assistant manager) and Tony Gay (coach) have increased work commitments I am delighted to bring Glenn in to support them,” he said. “He brings a wealth of experience to the young squad and will be a great help on the training pitch.”