JAMES White cannot wait to get started with Bowers & Pitsea.

The 31-year-old has made the move to the Len Salmon Stadium from Canvey Island, where he was skipper last season.

And White is thrilled to have made the switch.

“It’s a great move for me, it’s a league up and I have some really good friends who play at Bowers too,” said White.

“They used to be at Concord with me and that was a big pulling power for me.

“It came down to how things were handled as well.

“At Canvey I spoke to Mark (Bentley) and he wanted me back but things just didn’t really map out sadly.”

And that led to White opting to sign for Rob Small’s side who sat 14th in the Isthmian Premier League when last season was curtailed prematurely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Bowers showed interest and Smallsy had contacted me the last couple of seasons but it wasn’t the right time,” said White.

“Things have evolved there though and from speaking to the other players who have been at the club I know they’re going from strength to strength.

“It’s very exciting to be a part of that now.”

But, despite his delight, White also admitted it had been a tough decision to depart Canvey.

“I’d been at Canvey for two and a half years and I can’t speak highly enough of them,” said White.

“It’s a very well run club and they have some really nice people there so it was a very hard decision to make.”

However, Bowers’ plans helped White to make up his mind.

“When I spoke to Smallsy he was quite clear and it was quite refreshing,” said White.

“He was very clear and he wants me in the centre of the park which was also another factor for me.

“I did a job for Canvey at the back last year but I’d like to play centre mid as much as I can.

“There will be a time I move back to centre-half and there may be a time due to injuries or whatever I might have to do it for Bowers as well.

"But Canvey wanted me at centre half and then helping out in midfield if needed so that was another factor which helped me make my decision.”