Leaving is so hard to do: 'I actually ended up losing my house and was very unsettled'

Herd: 'When Sturrock first came in I didn't do myself any favours at all'

Let's face it, he forecast his own demise only three weeks ago, so it was no surprise when left back Johnny Herd was shown the door along with four others and told they had no future at Roots Hall.

It's also not surpring that leaving didn't come easy for the 21-year-old who spent five years rising through the ranks from Ricky Duncan's successful under-18's to make 42 appearances for the Shrimpers first team, but only six this campaign, a hamstring injury late on not helping his cause with Luggy.

Herd told www.echo-news.co.uk: "I had been with Southend for quite a while and was probably the longest-serving player there, so having to go in to say goodbye to everyone was quite emotional. I'm not surprised to be going after the season just gone but leaving has been quite hard to take."

Johnny admitted he didn't have the best of seasons and the financial problems that affected so many at the club last season hurt the young man just as badly.

It certainly shows the difference between the Premiership stars and the players trying to make a decent living at the lower end of the scale.

He continued: "When Sturrock first came in I didn't do myself any favours at all with how I played in pre-season. He was looking to put together his own team and I didn't play very well at all. He brought in his own players and Anthony Grant was the only one remaining from the year before who got to play, but he started like a house fire. I did the opposite but it was a difficult time for me. Because of the finanicial difficulties there had been the year before I actually ended up losing my house and was very unsettled. My head wasn't right but I don't want to use that as an excuse."

Still, he was determined not to show any biterness towards the club, especially those who helped him get as far as he did, and memories of one particular game that took place in the January of 2009 will always stand out!

Herd said: "Fans always bring up the Chelsea game when they talk to me and I think it was my own favourite moment at Southend too. I took the throw which led to Peter Clarke's equaliser and nobody to do with the club will ever forget that day. Playing the games I did in League One was also a good experience and I do think I would have got more matches again had Tilson stayed in charge. But I definitely enjoyed my time at the club and would like to thank Ricky Duncan, Luke Hobbs and Mark Bonner for getting me to where I am and also to the fans who were always really good towards me."

And as someone who was at Telford when he made his debut, nearly giving away a penalty with his first tackle bless, and certainly at Stamford Bridge that magic afternoon, I certainly will never forget that throw as well, best of luck mate, I expect a non league club at least to come calling soon, maybe Tilly's Lincoln City!

And here is 'that' throw, and not a bad save at the end as well!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mifk-05Z-rM

Johnny's crystal ball was sadly correct:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
johnny_herd_i_dont_think_i_will_still_be_with_
southend_united_next_year_672714/index.shtml

The Herd Files