Carl Hutchings out - Brian Barry-Murphy in

Carl Hutching - will be missed by the Blues

Carl Hutchings, Blues 27 year old midfielder today signed for Leyton Orient on a free transfer. Hutchings was on a month to month contract with the Shrimpers however that deal expired yesterday. Hutchings who played 44 games for Southend United was being touted as the next Captain of the Blues, a position that former manager David Webb was keen to hand to the former Bristol City player before Hutchings stalled on joining the Shrimpers at the beginning of the season.

Meanwhile Blues have secured the services of Preston North End’s Left-sided utility player Brian Barry-Murphy on a months loan, Brian was a regular member of the Eire U21 squad.

Barry-Murphy went to Deepdale from Cork City. The Irish youngster gives
Preseton Manager David Moyes, who played with Rob Newman at Bristol City, extra options on the left side. He was a big favourite at Cork, whose fans have contacted North End with praise for his abilities. He made his League debut on the last day of the 1999/2000 season and was given another year to break into the first team. Brian Played for the first-team 18
times last season, making his first league start against Blackburn where he acquitted himself very well. He has been rewarded for his efforts with a three-year contract. Has been also been involved at left-back at different times during 2001.

Brian Barry-Murphy

Brian Barry-Murphy

Birthplace: Cork

DOB: 27/07/1978

Position: Utility

Signed: 02/08/1999

Honours: Rep of Ireland Under-21

Height: 5ft 11in

Weight: 13st 3lb

Cork City 1/8/98 - 3/8/99

Preston North End 3/8/99 26 1st team apps 0 goals - played five times this season for PNE.

Meanwhile on Monday afternoon Southend United’s reserves beat their Peterborough United counterparts 2-1 in a behind closed doors friendly at Roots Hall.

A well-struck free kick from Tony Richards and a cool finish from young substitute Anthony Clark earned victory for the Blues who conceded a late penalty.

Great Wakering Rovers Triallist Dan Trenkle was again in action, while Ben Smith continued his rehabilitation by playing the full ninety minutes.

TEAM: Gay, Beard (Zinga), Newman (Johnson), McSweeney, Kerrigan, Forbes, Smith, Szmid, Trenkle (A. Clark), Plummer, Richards.

Southend United’s under seventeen’s slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Leyton Orient on Saturday. Steven Bourne was on target for the young Shrimpers in an evenly contested match.

The under nineteen’s clash with Wycombe Wanderers was postponed due to the wet weather, however their games with Brentford and Portsmouth, which also fell victim to the harsh conditions, have now been re-arranged.

Ricky Duncan’s side will travel to face the Bees on Monday 18^th February, with the game kicking off at 12 noon, whilst the match at Portsmouth will now take place on Saturday 23^rd February.

Steve Connolly
www.thelittlegazette.com