MITCHELL Gilbey has swapped East Thurrock United for Canvey Island after securing a move back to his former club.

The Gulls moved fast to get their man after Gilbey was released by Rocks on Sunday following talks with the management team.

He spent two-and-a-half years at Rookery Hill but had been reduced to a bit-part role at the club this season.

His last appearance for them was on Tuesday, December 8 against Redbridge in the Essex Senior Cup and he wasn’t included in the squad for the 0-0 draw against Grays Athletic on Saturday.

The 21-year-old has now linked up with the Gulls, who he made 28 appearances for between 2011 and 2013, although just seven of those were starts.

And Gulls manager Danny Heale said was pleased to replace the experience of Glenn Poole with a proven player at Ryman Premier League level.

“He will give us energy and goals and his versatility is also important,” said Heale. “He knows the club, having played here before and I am sure he will prove an important addition.

“He didn’t get much game time under Steve Tilson before but he comes back now and we are very pleased to have him.

“It has been a learning curve for him at East Thurrock and he will now be able to kick on here.

“He is younger than Glenn Poole, and I am still not quite clear on what happened there, so maybe it will be a blessing in disguise.”

Meanwhile, Rocks boss John Coventry says he felt he had to let Gilbey go, with first-team choices limited. And he wished the player he has known since he was five-years-old the best of luck at Canvey.

“Sometimes you don’t want to let people go but you have to consider the player,” said Coventry. “Mitch needs to play regularly and he needs a fresh challenge. I have known him a long time, on and off the pitch. He is the brother of my former captain Reiss and we have a close family connection. I know this is the right thing to do.”

Gilbey will be part of the Canvey squad that will play Met Police tonight.