Former West Ham legend Julian Dicks was impressed by what he saw when he came to Wivenhoe Town for their Ridgeons League premier division clash with Needham Market.

The Dragons head to Essex rivals Harwich and Parkeston for their post-Christmas game on Saturday and will be looking to put a 4-0 defeat by Needham behind them.

Dicks visited Broad Lane from his Spanish home to show his support for the club and to discuss with officials the possibility of adding his backing in the New Year.

While things didn’t go Wivenhoe’s way on the pitch, director of football Nick Murphy-Whymark said the ex-West Ham and Liverpool full-back, renowned for his hard-tackling style of play, liked what he saw and was eager to explore the possibility of more involvement.

“It went very well,” said Murphy-Whymark.

“Dicksy is keen to look at things and he was pleased.

“I got the impression that he was very impressed.

“It is now a question of taking stock and we will have to discuss what is out there.

“It is potentially an exciting period for all of us, but we need to take it slowly and make sure everything is right for both Wivenhoe Town and Julian Dicks.

“The Boyle family and (chairman) Steve Henson have been committed to taking Wivenhoe forward over the last five weeks and it is a matter of people coming on board to complement what we have got here, not a question of coming in to take over.”

Meanwhile, Wivenhoe will be heading to Harwich in the premier division, looking to halt a seven-game losing streak.

The Dragons have begun sliding down the premier division table in recent weeks, with the club’s young players struggling to put points on the board.

Their last outing was a defeat by Needham Market, when they were once again unable to convert an encouraging start into points, having been 0-0 at half-time, but ended up losing 4-0.

Meanwhile, Mark Morsley has backed his Harwich and Parkeston strikers to come good, having gone three games without a goal.

And on paper they have they perfect opportunity on Saturday when they face Wivenhoe at The Royal Oak.

With Wivenhoe on a sharp decline down the Ridgeons League premier division table and letting in goals left, right and centre, Morsley said he would be unhappy if Harwich did not gain all three points.

He told the Gazette: “I will be disappointed if we don’t win of course as it would be a real shame.

“They may look at it, though, and fancy their chances against us.

“I think we have the strikers to score us the necessary goals. Scott Page has been out injured for four weeks but he came on in Saturday’s game against Wroxham.

“Darren Bethell has scored and we know he will score more.

“If there is an area that concerns me it is that we won’t score enough goals from midfield.

“Sometimes we lack a focal point in midfield to give us better possession. The guys are capable but they are very young and need experience.”

Morsley included ten players in the matchday squad on Saturday who were aged 19 and under, which he feels bodes extremely well for the future.

He is without Nathan Munson, who is suspended, and brothers Stace – Matt and John, who are unavailable. Michael Murray and Martin Calver return.