NEW Tilbury boss Joe Keith says now is the right time to make his first foray into management.

Keith was appointed as Dockers boss last weekend, following Tilbury’s 3-1 reverse to Grays Athletic in the Isthmian North.

The former East Thurrock United and Canvey Island assistant manager replaces Gary Henty in charge, after the latter ended a three-year stint at the helm.

And Keith says he is looking forward to the challenge.

“It is something I have been interested in for a while,” said the former Dockers player. “It is why I was at East Thurrock for so long and I learned a lot off Covo (manager John Coventry) with a view to moving into management. I moved to Canvey to learn more and I feel now is the right time.

“It is a club I know and love and I can’t wait to get started. I had a great couple of years at Tilbury as a player and won the League Cup in 2009.

“The timing is good as we have a two week break and it gives both the team and myself a chance to settle things down.”

Tilbury have endured a tricky start to the season, and are currently 15th in the standings.

Alarmingly, the Dockers have conceded 41 goals in their 14 matches to date - a league high - although only two sides have netted more than their 27 goals.

But a run of six defeats in their last seven matches has left the Dockers in need of a change of direction.

And former Colchester United, Leyton Orient and Brentford man Keith believes more senior players may be necessary to help Tilbury climb the table.

“One of the problems is we have a lot of young players,” he said. “I believe in giving youth a chance and you need fresh legs but fitness is very important. Kurt Smith and Jack Carlile have been out recently too, which hasn’t helped.

“But confidence is a big issue as well.

“We have matches against AFC Hornchurch, Aveley and Bowers & Pitsea in November so it is a baptism of fire, which is not ideal.

“But by that time we play them I will know more about where we are. This season there are so many teams up the top that won’t drop many points so to achieve anything this year will be hard but I want to put things in place for the future.

“I won’t say what I want to achieve this year but we will just try and win our games and see where we end up.”

And Tilbury chairman Danny Nash said he was confident the club had made the right appointment.

“It has been a tough week after receiving a high number of applicants, but Joe was the best appointment for the club at this time and I am excited he has agreed to join us,” he said.

“I am confident that Joe and John will bring some good times back to the club.”

Tilbury return to action on Saturday, November 11 at AFC Sudbury.