JOHN Coventry has backed Jason Ring to go on and enjoy success higher up the football pyramid after making a fine start to the season with East Thurrock United.

Ring is back at Grayers Graphics Stadium for a second spell following an impressive stint with Great Wakering Rovers.

And Rocks boss Coventry has high hopes for the right-back.

“As soon as we got relegated from the National League South last season, it was a no-brainer for me to bring Ringo back in,” said Coventry.

“Wakering were really good because they knew what I was going to do.

“I met them in the summer and it has worked out well for him.

“He is a good player and I don’t see any reason why he can’t eventually go higher.

“He just needs to learn the game a little bit more but you only do that by playing more football.”

Ring has made 12 appearances in all competitions this season.

And the full-back impressed as East Thurrock kept just their second clean sheet of the campaign in the 1-0 win over Lewes at the weekend.

Ring helped to blunt Lewes’ attacking threats and also created problems for the visitors’ defence with his marauding runs down the wing.

And Coventry believes Ring has come a long way since being sent out on loan to Burnham Ramblers when he was looking to work his way into men’s football.

Coventry added: “I originally had Ringo with us here when he was a baby.

“He was always going to be a good player because he wants to be a good player.

“I put him out on loan at Burnham Ramblers during the early days.

“That gave him good experience because he was there under a good manager when Keith Wilson was there.

“I knew he would look after him and then he progressed by getting a move to Wakering.

“At that time, we were in the National League South and I didn’t think it was the right time to bring him back into the fold.

“He did well at Wakering, where he got even more experience in the Isthmian North, and I felt it was the right time to test him in the Isthmian Premier League after our relegation.

“Ringo has made a good start to the season and he needs to build on that.”