Baldwin; has been a Blue before
The Shrimpers have indeed bolstered their defensive options with the signing of former loanee Pat Baldwin from League One Colchester United, you naughty boy John Ward, you fibbed!
The 29-year-old returns to Roots Hall after a loan spell in the 2009/10 season during which saw him even captain the club!
Having made 242 appearances for the farmers since joining them in 2002, in fact scoring against his new club a couple of years ago, Baldwin links up with the league leaders again on a free transfer until the end of the season
There is still talk of another back four man being chased, ex-Charlton centre-half Jonathon Fortune is training with the club, but Baldwin will be a good and popular choice to cover both skipper Chris Barker, struggling for full fitness, and Mark Phillips, who is struggling to play any part at all in Tuesday evening's promotion six pointer with fourth placed Swindon.
Baldwin has been in and out of favour with new head farmer Ward after sustaining a fractured toe in early October.
Was on the subs bench in the 1-1 with Scunthorpe a couple of weeks ago but played no part in the embarassing home defeat to League One bottom club Chesterfield at home last Saturday, a result that has put Ward under severe pressure.
Only yesterday the Colchester manager told www.greenun24.co.uk:
"I’ve had no enquiries about my players, either permanent or on loan at this moment.”
Now, now John.
But another local website www.eadt.co.uk added Friday: 'Baldwin looks set to feature for the U’s at Leyton Orient tomorrow, either from the start or on the bench, due to (another ex-Shrimper loanee) Matt Heath’s groin injury. Baldwin’s departure would only leave manager John Ward with two fit senior centre-halves in Magnus Okuonghae and Tom Eastman, plus the untried Tom Aldred."
Well, he has decided that's enough, though to be fair the site added: "However, Baldwin’s contract is set to expire this summer, and the 29-year-old Londoner is keen to secure regular first team football.'
Stick with S24, you get the facts, sometimes.
That can't be guaranteed, Luggy has insisted he's sees any new signing as cover for his first choice Barker-Phillips partnership, but it would looks as if Phillips is out for the Robins visit Tuesday evening and Balders will be seen in a Shrimpers shirt once again.
And remember, the last time he made his debut for Southend, back in January 2010, when he went on to play in 18 third tier games in that ill-fated season, he scored an 89th minute equaliser at Roots Hall that saw Southend come back from two down to draw 2-1 with...........Swindon Town!
Welcome back Pat, let's make it the winner this time, and a touch earlier!
First on the front page: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
Luggy wants a centre-back: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
Timmo on Swindon: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
Who will win the biggest game of the season so far?: www.southendunited-mad.co.uk
The Robins faithful speak; 'awesome chip shop at Roots Hall': http://thetownend.com
Discuss the game on S24: http://boards.footymad.net
The Baldwin Files
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Patrick Michael Baldwin | ||
| Date of birth | 12 November 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | London, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Southend United | ||
| Number | TBC | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2001–2002 | Chelsea | 0 | (0) |
| 2002– | Colchester United | 209 | (1) |
| 2004 | → St Albans City (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2009 | → Bristol Rovers (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 2010 | → Southend United (loan) | 18 | (1) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:40, 8 October 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
(For full info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Baldwin)
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