FORMER Canvey Island winger Jack Simmons said the opportunity to join National League South side Dartford was too good to turn down.

Simmons, 20, made the move south of the River Thames on Wednesday evening after a successful seven months with the Gulls, in which he was named supporters’ player of the season.

And the Wickford midfielder says he is excited at the prospect of playing at a higher level, although he admits it was a difficult decision to leave Canvey.

“It is a good move for me but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t an easy decision at all,” said Simmons. “I was very happy at the club and I owe Danny Heale (manager), John Batch (chairman) and Bred Wellmen (coach) a lot.

“But I met with Dartford manager Tony Burman and he explained his vision for the club and how I would fit in. It sounded a really good project and, with this club one of the favourites to go up come the end of the season, I look forward to helping them.

“Dartford is a big club and they have a great ground with fantastic support so I now have to make sure I am fit enough for the new season. As one of the few part-time clubs in the National League it was going to be hard but we now want to get back there.”

The former Colchester United youngster joined the Gulls in October from fellow Ryman Premier League side Leiston, making 32 appearances and scoring five times.

He will also link up with a familiar face in Kent, as Canvey loanee George Sykes has also made the move after he left Barnet.

“I know him well from his time at Canvey and I know what a good player he is. It is always nice to see a familiar face and hopefully we can both push on.”

Simmons and Sykes won’t have long to wait for a return to the Prospects Stadium, with Canvey opening their pre-season schedule against the Darts on Saturday, July 11.