WIVENHOE TOWN assistant boss Ray Turner is heading back to the club that rejuvenated his playing career when the Dragons visit BRANTHAM ATHLETIC tonight.

By his own admission, the prolific striker was in "mini-retirement" after spells as Steve Pitt's assistant boss at Stanway Rovers and manager at FC Clacton.

After leaving the Seasiders, he then joined Brantham where he was encouraged to play again by then manager Paul Abrahams and assistant Steve Downey.

And it was a move that saw him go on to flourish, most notably last season when his goals were a major factor in Wivenhoe winning the Thurlow Nunn League first division title.

“I really enjoyed my time at Brantham," said Turner, whose side continued their strong start to the premier division campaign with a 3-0 victory against Ipswich Wanderers on Saturday.

“It’s a lovely, friendly club and I’m grateful for my spell there, because it got me fit and playing again after a mini-retirement when I was assistant manager at Stanway and manager at Clacton.

“I got back into playing there, scored a few goals and never really looked back.”

Turner, 35, is not the only former Brantham player heading back to the Leisure Centre tonight.

Former Imps midfielder Jack Smith is on loan at Wivenhoe from Heybridge Swifts.

“He’s a real coup for us and if we’re going to get to the next level, we need players like him on board," added Turner, who is hoping to recover from a stomach injury in order to play tonight.

“He’s been out injured so just wants to get some game-time under his belt.

“Initially he’s here for a month and he went straight into the team on Saturday.

“He’ll be a brilliant addition because he's a big, strong and commanding central midfielder.”

Elsewhere tonight, STANWAY ROVERS host Long Melford while FC CLACTON have an Essex Senior Cup second round appointment at Hullbridge Sports.

The Seasiders had no game at the weekend, due to their early FA Vase exit, while Stanway were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Kirkley and Pakefield.