EAST Thurrock United boss John Coventry admits it was a proud moment for his family when he gave grandson Jack his first team debut in the 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat to Romford.

The teenager came on as a second half substitute in the encounter at Rookery Hill.

And Coventry says it was a great occasion for the whole family after seeing Jack come through Rocks’ youth system.

“He got an opportunity and that was nice for the whole family,” said Coventry.

“We didn’t have a lot of options because we only had 18 players available for the game.

“Because of that, we couldn’t play two different teams in each half.

“Jack has been training with us and he has been coming over to the club for quite a few years.

“He has been in the youth team since he was five and he is now 16.

“Jack enjoyed coming on and it was nice to see him play for the first team.

“It was a great occasion for the family.”

Coventry handed a number of trialists an opportunity to shine as East Thurrock got their pre-season programme underway.

Jack Giddens, Jon Nzengo, Lee Burns and Danny Harris were the only players who were with the club last term to make Coventry’s starting line-up.

But Coventry admits that some of those who featured will not be seen in an East Thurrock shirt again.

“There are a couple of trialists that have a chance of being offered something with us,” added Coventry.

“But I got rid of six or seven trialists straight after the Romford game.

“Some of them were not what I was looking for and I could have kept them in for another four or five friendlies, but that wouldn’t have been fair on them.

“Getting rid of them this quickly allows them more time to go and find a club where they will fit in better.”

And Coventry was pleased to see Rocks return to action after being tested in training.

Coventry admitted: “It was nice to see the boys on the pitch again and it was a good workout for everyone.

“We have had four or five sessions so far, but you want to see how they are in a game.

“You get a feeling with some of the trialists when you see them in training but it’s not fair to make an assessment until you see them in a game situation.

“Romford are a decent side and it was a good test for us, particularly at the start of our pre-season programme.”