FC CLACTON manager Kieron Shelley says there is no chance of his players waving the white flag in their quest for survival.

And he believes the mentality has changed since he took the reins in early September.

Despite some improved performances, the Seasiders are still rock bottom of the Thurlow Nunn League premier division with just one point from their 17 matches.

They lost 1-0 at Gorleston on Saturday before suffering a 4-0 League Challenge Cup exit at the hands of Stanway Rovers on Tuesday night.

However, Shelley insists that despite their struggles, his players have a spirit and determination to put things right.

“It’s not a dressing room that’s feeling sorry for itself,” he said.

“We’re in there kicking ourselves for the mistakes we’re making and for not taking our chances.

“But we’re far from defeatist.

“We’re still positive.

“When we first came in it was almost acceptable to lose and that’s terrible.

“It was like the team was happy to plod on, go down and start again next season.

“Now you’ve got a team and a dressing room that says ‘we’re not having that’.

“There’s no way we’re going to plod.

“We’ll fight for every point in every game.

“If we get the results, great.

“If we don’t, at least we can say we’ve put the effort in and tried our hardest for the paying fans.

“That’s what we’re all about – trying to get more through the turnstile.

“Clacton’s a big town of 89,000 people.

“Blackburn have won the Premier League and their population is only 82,000.

“We’ll go again and just need a run of three or four positive results, to show people that we can do it.”

Clacton head to Brantham Athletic tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm) and one player presumably keen to impress will be former Imps striker Michael Brothers.

The vastly-experienced front man recently signed for the Seasiders from Ryman League premier division side Needham Market. “What a fantastic signing,” said Shelley.

“We couldn’t have dreamed of getting a player of his quality over here.

“We’re bottom of the league but yet he’s come in to help us out.

“He’s been brilliant and he’s got the changing room going.

“He leads by example, just like (fellow new recruit) Matt Stace.”

Clacton’s next home game is on Saturday week, when they entertain Swaffham Town.

That promises to be a huge game, with the Norfolk side second from bottom and six points above Clacton.

The Seasiders have played two games more.