DELIGHTED FC Clacton manager Kieron Shelley believes the return of record appearance-maker Kevin Coyle could be the final piece in his Seasiders jigsaw.

Long-serving Coyle returned to the club on Friday afternoon after a brief spell with Bostik League neighbours Brightlingsea Regent and went straight into the starting line-up for Saturday’s FA Vase defeat against Coggeshall Town.

The Seasiders have also signed Harry McDonald, who has joined on a one-month loan from Regent, and the midfielder is in the squad for Saturday’s trip to Long Melford.

Shelley is delighted with both acquisitions and believes Coyle’s return will have a huge impact, in terms of the club climbing the Thurlow Nunn League table.

“We’re so pleased to have Kevin back,” he told the Gazette.

“He left to try and better himself and anyone who criticised him for doing that isn’t worth giving the time of day.

“When he came to me in the summer and told me about the offer from Brightlingsea, I told him he had to go for it. It was a no-brainer.

“However, it’s just proved too much. He’s a working lad with a young family and it just wasn’t working out for him.

“He wasn’t getting game time and that’s why he’s decided to come back.

“From our point of view, it’s fantastic news because he’s returned to us feeling fit and hungry.

“He has an appetite, fire in his belly and I know that every time he pulls on that shirt he wants to perform and wear it with pride.

“Kevin will get goals for us, too, and that’s been the missing piece of the jigsaw so far.

“We’re not conceding many of the moment and now we’ve got a player who will undoubtedly score goals.

“That’s what he’s been brought back to do.”

High-flying Coggeshall scored both their goals in extra-time at the Rush Green Bowl on Saturday, through the prolific Nnamdi Nwachuku (see page 50 for boss Shelley’s assessment).

However, while not the result he wanted, Shelley was delighted with his team’s performance and hailed the impact of 18-year-olds Ben Justice and Zach Smith-Walter.

“They were terrific,” he said.

“Zach had a really good game, barely putting a foot wrong, and it was the same with Ben.

“He was big and strong up top, doing a lot of the ugly work and holding the ball up well.

“I was so impressed with both of them.”

Meanwhile, Clacton have confirmed that Kyelan Marvell has joined Thurlow Nunn League neighbours Stanway Rovers.

The Seasiders arranged a midweek friendly at home to Wivenhoe Town Reserves and won 3-1 under the lights at the Bowl on Tuesday night.