CLACTON Hockey Club skipper Carl Parkes is bracing himself for a nerve-jangling season.

The Seasiders have made a positive start to their East Men’s League division three south-east campaign and are third in the table, following last week’s 2-1 victory at Wapping.

They host newly-promoted Witham at Vista Road this Saturday, starting at 2pm.

And Parkes, whose side have won three of their five games so far, believes the promotion race is going to be nip-and-tuck until the end.

“It’s going to be a very tight league, as proven by this week’s opposition, Witham,” said the long-serving captain.

“After two games they were flying high at the top of the table.

“Now, after five, they find themselves third from bottom.

“We moved up a place after drawing with the top-of-the-table team two weeks ago.

“But we dropped down to third on Saturday – despite beating Wapping.

“That’s the way it’s going to be because we’re all so close on points. It’s going to boil down to goal difference and a team could go into the last four games in a relegation battle but still in with a chance of promotion.”

Clacton have made a great start to the season, with both their first and second teams challenging near the top of their respective divisions.

And Parkes says the club are in a healthy position, in terms of new recruits and young players pushing through.

“The season has started very well for the whole club, with both teams at the top end of the table and benefiting from the younger generation getting stronger,” he said.

“Robert Hawes, in particular, deserves praise and he’s scoring goals for the second team.

“Overall, we’ve also been strengthened because of the players we’ve picked up from the folding of the Essex University teams in the East League.

“It’s nice having the problem of too many people available for two teams, though we’re still just short of enough regular availability to get back to three 11s.”

It’s been an emotional week for the club with the funeral of stalwart Jean Coleman having taken place on Monday.

“It was a great send off for Jean, with lots of people, lots of colour and a few hockey players that hadn’t seen each other in a while,” added Parkes.

“Profoundly, her passing may have ignited a fresh visit to the club re-establishing a ladies’ section.

“The wake brought an air of longing for a squad of ex-Clacton ladies’ players.”