NEW Wivenhoe Town player-assistant boss Ray Turner says his move to the Dragons “ticked every box”.

The front man had 12 offers after recently parting company with Stanway Rovers.

They ranged from Essex and Suffolk Border League sides to others in the Thurlow Nunn League to one in the Suffolk and Ipswich League.

However, Turner had no hesitation in returning to his former club and is excited by the challenge ahead.

“I had a dozen offers but this is the best move for me,” said the 34-year-old, who also played for Halstead Town, Brantham Athletic and was player-manager at FC Clacton.

“It’s the right decision and one that ticked every box.

“Wivenhoe are a massive club in the area and the potential is there.

“I was really impressed when I met (manager) Mo (Osman).

“It went to his house and it was the first time we’d properly sat down and had a one-to-one conversation.

“We spoke for about an hour and a half and he came across really well.

“He told me about the last few years, in terms of the team’s struggles and operating without any money.

“I could relate to a lot of what he said and would love it for him, and the club, if we could start winning next year.

“I’m really looking forward to working alongside him and getting back into the management side of things.”

Turner had two highly-successful seasons as a Wivenhoe player during their years in the Ryman League, under Steve Pitt. He played alongside former professionals like Colchester United trio Adrian Coote, David Gregory and Paul Abrahams.

He finished as top-scorer and won a clean sweep of the end-of-season awards.

Wivenhoe’s current situation is much different, having just been relegated into division one of the Thurlow Nunn League.

However, Turner believes it might be a case of taking a step back to take two forward – and says his aim is to go straight back up.

“Wivenhoe have developed a losing habit,” said the striker, who plundered 16 goals for Stanway last season and finished as Rovers’ second top-scorer, just behind Jordan Palmer.

“Clearly, they’ve struggled. However, if we can buck that trend – which I’m sure we will – confidence will rise. I hope to continue my form from last season and score a lot of important goals.

“But it’s not just about scoring them – it’s about creating them, too.

“I set up a lot of goals last season and think I managed more than 20 assists.

“I can also be our manager on the pitch and help give the team more steel. Maybe they’ve been lacking a leader but that’s a role I know I can fill.

“I can use my experience and professionalism to help the younger players and encourage them to make the right decisions at certain times. I can bring something new to the table.”