Barnard: 'I would not have downed tools if I had stayed'
Former Shrimpers striker Lee Barnard joined the Saints for £175,000 during the January transfer window, but faces a late fitness test after picking up an ankle injury against Gillingham to see if he can play Saturday.
However, the accusations made by Southend football consultant Billy Jennings upset Barney to the extent he felt he had to make his position clear.
Barnard told www.echo-news.co.uk: "I saw that comment and I was very disappointed by it because I certainly never said that. I never asked to leave Southend and I would not have downed tools if I had stayed. I enjoyed my time there and if there had been money going in to the team with the new stadium being built then I would have been happy to stay. But things got bad and I'm an ambitious player who the had chance to progress my career by going to a club like Southampton."
Lee confirmed he'd always done his best in a Shrimpers shirt and had left with good memories from his time at Roots Hall.
Certainly the loss of an increase in the good Lord's 17 goals this season for Southend was the major factor on the field for the team's eventual demise, (we were 14th when Barney was shipped out to St.Mary's).
The fact he's gone on to score 9 further goals for his new club while being in and out of the side shows what a bargin the Saints picked up.
Barnard continued: "I was praying they were going to stay up and I'm gutted they haven't. With respect to the other teams down there, I thought Southend were too good to go down but the financial problems haven't helped. They meant the manager couldn't get players in at times but I'm sure they will bounce back next season and I really hope they do. Southend is a very good club and everyone was great towards me during my two years there so I want to see them doing well again."
For the full Echo interview with Barney, go here:
www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/theblues/
8151212.Barney__No_way_would_I_not_play/