THE owner of East Thurrock United and her friends are calling on fans of the club to rally round and try and plot a path for the club's future.

In the wake of the pending departure of long time manager John Coventry and the death of its former owner Ben Bennett, the club has issued a statement announcing a public meeting next week when they will be seeking local people to commit to help the club, both on and off the pitch and behind the scenes. They are also looking for financial support.

The club and the Bennett family was at the centre of a court case two years ago which dragged the club in national newspaper headlines as a bitter battle for ownership of it and the ground was fought out between Mr Bennett's son and his associates. The Bennetts' ownership of the club, which Mr Bennett handed over to his daughter, was vindicated in court but the financial repercussions have laid heavy on the Rocks.

In a statement after announcing his departure Coventry described recent times at the club behind the scenes as 'horrendous' and said: "Circumstances at the club have made it nearly impossible for me and I have been working with one hand tied behind my back.

"It's the right time for me to walk away because of an accumulation of things during the last two years. With what has happened, I thought I can't do another season under the circumstances.

"I am not blaming anyone but it's the right time for me to go."

He leaves big boots to fill but cub owner Dominque Bennett, whose father Ben initially took over the club in 2002, is hoping that is a task that can be achieved with the fans' help and that of family friends, which includes Colin McBride, the owner of neighbouring Hornchurch FC.

He will be present at a meeting on Wednesday, 11 March at the club's ground at Rookery Hill, starting at 7.30pm when he will outline the latest situation, and discuss the options for the future of the club.

A statement from the club issued today says: "Without doubt the past couple of years or so has been an extremely trying time for the football club.

"The illness, and subsequent sad passing of our much-loved Ben Bennett, has taken its toll on us all, and has led to conjecture about the continued existence of East Thurrock United Football Club.

"Now, following last week's announcement, we also know that John Coventry will be stepping down as manager after 20 years' service to the Rocks. John departs with our sincere thanks, and our very best wishes, and states that he is committed to working with us over the coming weeks to ensure the smooth hand-over to the new management. As John says "It's what Ben would have wanted".

"We wish to stress here and now that we are totally committed to honouring the memory of Ben, and the dedication shown by John Coventry, by ensuring that the club continues and thrives as a lasting tribute to these two gentlemen, along with the many other stalwarts who have contributed to the club over the past fifty odd years.

"We can now announce that Colin McBride has taken on the mantle of working with the Bennett family to ensure that East Thurrock United FC has a sound future.

"Colin is a long time close friend of Ben Bennett and his family, and a former Rocks player himself, who has many close friends at the club. A past manager of Thurrock and Hornchurch Football Clubs, Colin stepped in a few years back to save Hornchurch from going under, and remains very much involved there.

"Basically, Colin knows what running a non-league club is all about, and we are pleased to have him helping us at this time.

"However, as well as John Coventry, there are likely to be several other people also stepping down from their roles at the club at the end of the season, meaning we will need people to come on board to work with us and play a part in our off field team.

"We need to find a chairman, football secretary, treasurer, plus additional people to ensure the smooth running of the club, particularly on home matchdays.

"In addition to those admin roles, if we are to consider maintaining our current Isthmian Premier status, then we really need to attract additional financial support and sponsorship. We are prepared to consider any proposals or ideas you may have.

"Please don't hold back, NOW is the time to pull together and get involved, so please, either come forward at the meeting, or message us on our club Twitter or Facebook."

You can access the club Facebook account via the red additional information button below.