CONCORD Rangers manager Adam Flanagan has defended former defender Marvin Ekpiteta, after he orchestrated a move to local rivals East Thurrock United.

Ekpiteta was criticised by Beach Boys chairman Antony Smith on social media last week, citing ‘Imagine paying a player whilst injured not through football and then he rings another club for a move’.

Although not mentioned by name Ekpiteta is the player in question, but Flanagan has put the move down to ‘naivety rather than maliciousness’.

“In football as a manager you are privileged to get to know players and every player we have had this season, irrespective of results, has been a good lad in my opinion,” he said.

“With respects to Marvin, he has not conducted himself that great but I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“It is more about him being naïve than being malicious.

“I have enjoyed working with him, I know (assistant manager) Glen (Alzapiedi) has and I believe Marvin has enjoyed working with us.

“He wants to be ambitious and get league football and maybe he felt a team down the bottom end of the division wouldn’t get him the recognition he needed.

“He wanted to move on and, the position we are in, we need players to want to be here.

“If they want to move on they can go and I hope we will be left with a group who want to work hard and on this showing everyone did.”

And East Thurrock United boss John Coventry praised Flanagan for his role in making the move happen, while admitting his conscience was clear.

“I know what happened and am comfortable with myself with what happened,” he said.

“I would like to thank Adam Flanagan for his help in making him happen.”

Ekpiteta didn’t enjoy the happiest of debuts for East Thurrock - as he played 90 minutes in Saturday’s 3-0 reverse against Hungerford Town.