‘I’M NOT VERY GOOD, BOSS’!
...but then ace Price nets 23 goals
MATTHEW Price was overjoyed as he repaid the faith shown in him by Canvey Island by firing the Gulls to promotion – despite telling boss Brad Wellmen he is ‘not very good at football’!
The frontman joined from Coggeshall Town last summer and played a pivotal role as the Islanders booked their place in the Isthmian Premier by overcoming Brentwood Town in the Isthmian North play-off final.
A textbook header took Price’s tally up to 23 goals for the season, allowing the Gulls to restore parity after falling behind against his former club, while he then sparked wild scenes by sealing victory with a Panenka in the penalty shoot-out.
But Price insists he only headed to Park Lane after holding an honest conversation with then-manager Mark Bentley, who is now Southend United’s first-team coach, and current chief Wellmen.
He told The NLP: “It was a good season on a personal level, but far from a great season because I missed games through injury and suspension – which I’ve never had before – and I felt I should have put a few more chances away.
“Brad and assistant manager Sammy Knott, as well as Benno when he was here, have been superb with me.
“I told them at the start of the season that I’m not very good at football, but I’ll work hard and score goals. I know my limits and my own ability, but they allowed me to play my own game and didn’t try to change that.
“A lot of credit goes to them for the trust they put in me to produce the goods and the squad also deserve credit for knowing my strengths and playing to them.”
Price previously enjoyed play-off glory with Heybridge Swifts, but a restructuring of the pyramid resulted in the Essex side being denied a place in the Isthmian Premier.
Special
Going through that heartache – along with being forced to spend time away from the pitch – made the 28-year-old’s success with Canvey even more special. “I went through an awful lot in 2019, including illness and winning the play-offs but not being able to enjoy it,” added Price. “Celebrating promotion with those who got me back to where I am and helped me so much was special. “Winning a play-off final and not going up with Heybridge was ridiculous, but that made this promotion sweeter, 100 per cent.
“The fact that we are a close group of friends off the pitch definitely made it even more memorable.”
Price, who also counts East Thurrock United and Tooting & Mitcham United among his former employers, has refused to rule out the possibility of mounting another promotion push next term.
“I think we could certainly be in contention for the playoffs if we make three or four additions and keep the current squad together,” insisted the prolific Canvey striker.
“Having said that, personally, I think next season will be about giving it a really good go in the Isthmian Premier and building ahead of the following campaign.”