SUPPORTERS of East Thurrock United FC were treated to the arrival of new club director and sponsor Alfie Best of Wyldecrest Parks when he arrived by helicopter to publicly announce his backing for the Isthmian Premier club.

East Thurrock, which had been in serious financial trouble, has undergone a close season resurgence with the creation of a new company, East Thurrock United (2020) Ltd, which lists Mr Best, previous club owner Dominque Bennett and her cousin, Gary Brownlie as the new directors. Ms Bennett, daughter of club stalwart Bennie Bennett who passed away last year is listed as having a controlling interest in the club. All the directors are listed as using Wyldecrest Parks' HQ in West Thurrock as their correspondence address.

However, the previous company East Thurrock United (2009) Ltd – which was solely owned by Ms Bennett who was the only director, remains active.

During his visit this morning to promote the new sponsorship and deals with other companies he is associated with, including motor home rental company Vaaroom, Mr Best met club officials including chairman Steve Wiseman and he also spent time with some of the club's youth team players.

The club says a formal statement about the sponsorship and the club's future will be forthcoming shortly. Mr Best had previously told supporters he is looking to work with the club to create a new 'state of the art' ground.

Flamboyant Mr Best, who regularly features in the UK's rich lists having accumulate a multi- million pound fortune since forming his first company in 1990, comes from a Traveller background and promotes himself on media as a self-made man and inspirational business guru. In 2013 he featured in Channel Four's 'My Big Fat Gypsy Fortune.'

Meanwhile club manager Paul Martin has announced some new signings as he begins to build a squad for the new season. It is expected that non-league clubs will get the go-ahead to play friendlies in August and competitions, including the FA Cup and FA Trophy will start alongside league fixtures in September.

As previously announced, Dan Cossington will also take on a coaching role. He joined John Coventry's squad mid-way through last season and created an immediate impression with Rocks fans. Cossington was previously captain of Martin's Romford side before the Glenn Tamplin take over which saw the manager leave the club.

Another of last season's players to re-sign is Ayo Olukoga while a former rocks player, Jonathan Nzango returns to Rookery Hill.

Central defender Louis Bowen joins the Rocks from Waltham Abbey FCafter spending most of his recent playing career at step four, and was with Hertford Town prior to joining Abbey.

Luke Illsey is a central midfielder who joins from Southern League Chalfont St Peter. Also joining is Alfie Cue, a 21 year old midfielder who played in the National South for Dartford as an 18 year old. Last season he spent time out on loan at Leatherhead and at Hitchin Town who he later joined on a permanent basis.

Callum Taylor is a young left wing back who spent time with Royston Town and Grays Athletic before joining ambitious Southern Leaguers Welwyn Garden City last season. Callum was a key player in the City side which was challenging for the Southern Central title when last season was curtailed.

Martin said: "I'm really looking forward to working with these lads. I'm not rushing into making signings just for the sake of it. I will be patient, and sign the right type of players who I think will suit our style of football."

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