LEIGH-ON-SEA goalkeeper Rees Hawkins says signing for Southend Manor will give him a great platform to go on and succeed in the game.

The 17-year-old was snapped up by Ryman One North side Witham Town in the summer, after spotting his exploits at the Nike Academy in Echosport last season.

And he has now been loaned to Essex Senior League outfit Manor, as he bids to take his first steps in the game and help the team push further up the standings.

And the former Concord Rangers youth team player has impressed in the early weeks at his new club, making a host of saves in Southend Manor’s opening day draw with Waltham Forest.

He also helped them to a 3-1 FA Cup win in the extra-preliminary round against Codictote on Saturday.

And he says he will do all he can to succeed.

“It is a great chance for me to get some good experience under my belt,” he said.

“I was with the Concord under-18s but the opportunity to join Witham came up after I spoke to their goalkeeper Jason Baker, who I have known for a long time.

“I was invited to train with them and signed soon after, but I didn’t want to watch from the sidelines, so coming to Manor will really help my game.

“Wayne Seal (Manor manager) is very genuine and the vibe at the club is extremely positive.

“This time next year I want to be at Witham pushing to start and I am confident I will be a position to do so.”

Hawkins made it to the last 30 players from a pool of 6,000 in his bid to join the Nike Academy, which helps unsigned youngsters link up with professional clubs.

And he says the progress he made has given him the confidence to push on.

“I want to be as good as I can be,” he said.

“I am a big Southend fans and have watched the likes of Steve Mildenhall, Cameron Belford and Dan Bentley in recent years and I try to learn from what they do.”

And the young stopper is hoping Bentley is still at the club, amid interest from several Championship clubs, when he walks out with the team on Saturday, September 12, where he will be Blues’ mascot against Shrewsbury.

“It will be brilliant,” said Hawkins. “I am hopeful Dan will be there but who knows.

“I just hope wherever he goes, if he goes, he gets played as he is too good to just sit on the bench.”