CANVEY Island’s Billy Knott has joined Danny Cowley’s Lincoln City as they prepare for life in the Football League.

The 24-year-old spent the final three months of last season at Sincil Bank - on loan from Gillingham - playing a part as Lincoln won promotion from the National League.

He has now penned a one-year contract with the Imps, citing his relationship with the Cowley brothers as a reason behind the move.

Manager Danny and assistant Nicky managed at Concord Rangers, where Knott came through the youth system before moving to Chelsea.

“Everyone knows I know Dan and Nick,” the former Cornelius Vermuyden School pupil told the club website.

“It’s been a stressful couple of weeks trying to get it done but it’s done now and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“We had a great end to last season and it was only right to come back here and show the fans what I can do.

“I was probably only half fit last season when I came here and with a full pre-season behind me, I can do a lot more.”

Knott has also played for Sunderland, AFC Wimbledon, Woking, Wycombe Wanderers, Port Vale and Bradford City.

And he has received the full backing of Cowley, who managed for eight years at Concord Rangers before linking up with Braintree Town and then Lincoln.

“Billy can be whatever he wants to be. He will be a top player,” said Cowley.

“He’s had an unbelievable football education, although he hasn’t achieved what he’s capable of just yet. But, I genuinely believe that in our environment he will.

“It’s obvious that he loves his football and has a real passion for the game, which the supporters have already seen and he’s already made a real connection with them.

“Billy gives us that left-footed balance, which we were probably short of last season. We felt that we had a real influence on his fitness last year and if we can get Billy focused, we’ve got a real top player on our hands.”