Former Luton Town youth striker Judge and Crystal Palace Reserves midfielder Surey had been training with the Shrimpers at their Boots & Laces training base and the Kingswood facilities in Basildon with a view to earning themselves contracts at Roots Hall for the 2004/5 season. Both played in the opening pre-season friendly at East Thurrock United, with Judge playing the first 45 minutes and his midfield partner both the first half and the majority of the second when Mark Bentley turned his ankle.
However, things started to turn sour when the twosome were hauled off but 34 minutes into the more difficult surrounds of the Canvey Island match, which United eventually prevailed in by two goals to one, and despite Tilson protestations that they would have been brought back on had the fourth official allowed it, and that they would be handed a second chance, they were not included in the squad to face Millwall on Wednesday night.
As it transpired, they had made their final appearances for Southend United as it was revealed in the Southend Evening Echo on Friday evening that they had been allowed to seek other employment. The pair will now try and sell their wares to other clubs in the southeast region.
Meanwhile, boss Tilson spoke to the club’s official website, www.southendunited.co.uk, on the ongoing Spencer Prior situation in his reaction to this afternoon’s 3-3 draw with Conference side Dagenham & Redbridge. The Wickford-born gaffer said, “I should know about Spencer by Sunday night. We’ve made him our offer now and he’s gone away to think things through. I hope we sign him because he’s a quality player and now I’m just waiting to hear from him one way or the other”.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com