MARK Bentley is pleased to have secured Matt Lock’s services in a player-coach role having originally attempted to attract him to Canvey Island in the summer.

Lock has joined the Gulls following a brief spell with Isthmian North side Coggeshall Town.

And Bentley believes the midfielder’s experience will benefit his Canvey outfit.

The Gulls boss said: “Matty has tons of experience and it’s great that he has come in on a player-coach role.

“He gives us another option on the pitch and it also means I have more support on the coaching staff.

“His principles are the same as mine and I tried to get him in during the summer.

“I offered him a player-coach deal at that stage but he also had an offer from Coggeshall Town and decided to go there.

“He was in the Bowers & Pitsea side towards the end of last season when they won the title.

“But it hasn’t worked out for him as he would have wanted at Coggeshall and we have been able to benefit from that by now bringing him.”

Lock made his debut in Canvey’s 2-2 FA Trophy first qualifying round draw at Middlesex’s Ashford Town.