EAST Thurrock United manager John Coventry says he is feeling positive ahead of the start of a new football season.

Rocks get their second season in the National League South underway on Saturday, with Hampton & Richmond Borough the visitors to the Future Fuel Stadium.

A 13th placed finish in their first season exceeded expectations, with Coventry now looking for another strong campaign in non-league’s second tier.

And he is excited to get underway, as they look to continue their good form against Hampton, who enjoyed an excellent first year in the division themselves last year.

“It is good to get back into it and I am pleased at where the team is,” said Coventry.

“We lost our first game of the season last year and, of course, we want to win our opening match, but getting beaten in the opening fixture didn’t do us any harm last year.

“I like playing Hampton & Richmond Borough. (Manager) Alan Dowson and (assistant manager) Martin Tyler are good guys and they have a good group.

“They will be a tough opponent, although we did do the double over them last season. They don’t like playing us and we often do well against them.”

Coventry remains disappointed to have lost the services of assistant manager Jay Devereux, although goalkeeping coach Neil Grey has stepped into the void

Former Tilbury manager Paul Vaughan has also joined the staff as first-team coach.

And Coventry is pleased at his summer business - with the likes of James White, Max Cornhill, Lewis Smith, George Allen, Femi Akinwande and Montel Agyemang joining the club.

Ben Marlow also returns after an unsuccessful trial with Queens Park Rangers.

“In terms of player recruitment, I am really pleased,” he said.

“I have signed some good players and things look good as far as the squad is concerned.

“Pre-season has been good for us and the players have settled in well. That said, it is only pre-season and we will find out properly where we are at when the tough stuff starts.

“It is a squad that brings lots of competition and I didn’t want second season syndrome to come into play.

“I don’t want people to be comfortable.”

Coventry added that Rocks were not thinking about survival as he looks to be more positive, despite their inexperience at the level.

He admits promotion may be beyond his team, at the moment, but has backed them to give their all, as always.

“Staying up is a line no manager should like to use,” he said.

“We don’t want to slip out of this league and we need to try and push on while being realistic.

“I want to be playing at a high level of football for a long time but we know going up at this stage beyond us.

“But that doesn’t mean we will give any less than we always do.”

Rocks kick-off their season against Hampton & Richmond Borough at 3pm on Saturday.