EAST Thurrock United boss John Coventry says he regrets how he told Ryan Sammons he would not remain at the club.

Sammons left Rookery Hill after making more than 500 appearances for the Rocks.

The right-back sealed a move to Bowers & Pitsea last summer and Coventry insists he wishes he handled the situation differently.

Coventry said: “Ryan Sammons was brilliant for this football club.

“He was loyal and played more than 500 games for us.

“I should have handled the Ryan Sammons departure better and that’s a failure on my part.

“That’s my main regret from all of the players I let go last summer.

“Players come and go in non-league football but Ryan was loyal and dedicated to this club.

“I sent a Whatsapp message to the 10 players I was letting go last summer, but I shouldn’t have included Ryan in that group message.

“That was a mistake on my part and I regret doing that.”

Sammons went onto win the Isthmian North title in his first season with Rob Small’s Bowers, making 47 appearances in all competitions.

And Coventry is pleased to have seen Sammons shine.

“I’m pleased for Ryan because he was such a great servant here,” added Coventry.

“He has won the title at Bowers and that’s fantastic for him.”