FC CLACTON goal king Kevin Coyle admitted being proud and delighted after becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer.

The long-serving playmaker notched a first-half hat-trick - including two penalties - in Saturday’s thrilling 4-3 Thurlow Nunn League premier division victory at Saffron Walden Town.

It took his overall tally to 104 goals for the Seasiders (in their guise as FC Clacton), edging him ahead of Aaron Condon, now of Brightlingsea Regent, on 103.

“It’s a really special feeling,” said Coyle, who is also leading appearance-maker for the Rush Green Bowl side.

“It’s been in my sights for a while, so to finally get there before the end of the season makes me proud.

“It was a great weekend and a perfect way to break the record, with a hat-trick in a 4-3 victory.

“I had so many nice messages afterwards.

“Clacton supporters dropped me a line on Twitter, as well as people from other clubs, and I also had a nice message from Aaron.

“We’re good mates and he said he was pleased for me.

“If he comes back here one day, which seems likely, there’s no doubt he’ll break the record again because he’s such a natural scorer.

“So I’ll cherish it for as long as possible – as long as it lasts!”

Clacton had to come from behind to secure their thrilling win, with defender Steve Downes grabbing their winner at Catons Lane.

Now, having set one record, Coyle is setting his sights on another - to finish as leading scorer for the season.

“That’s my other big target,” he said.

“I’m on 12 goals and Jake Plane has 13.

“It’s great to have healthy competition and I’ll certainly be aiming to finish with the most.

“It’ll be interesting to see what happens.

“We’ve got two more home matches “It was a great weekend and a perfect way to break the record.”

kevin coyle (assuming last night’s game against Histon went ahead as scheduled).

“Haverhill Borough come here on Saturday and then we play Stanway Rovers on Monday (both 3pm).

“Team-wise, it would be great to end on a high and it’s a massive game against Stanway.

“It’s another local derby and it would be a perfect way to finish the season, with a victory against one of our rivals.

“I’d love it for our supporters, too, because they’re so loyal to us.

“It would be great to give them something to cheer about because they follow us home and away, spending their hard-earned money.

“Hopefully we can win on Saturday and take some momentum into Monday.

“We’ve been a bit up and down recently and much of the reason is down to our availability issues.

“Every week it seems two or three players can’t make it – players who started the previous week.

“We haven’t had a settled side and that’s why our results have been inconsistent.”

Coyle hopes to be back at the club next season but says he will sit down and discuss his future in the summer.

“I’d like to stay loyal because I’ve spent a lot of time here,” he said.

“Clacton are my hometown club.

“I’ll see the season out and then we’ll talk about next season.”