The 30-year-old former Colchester United favourite has left the Shrimpers by mutual consent, despite having over a season left on his current contract. Despite playing a series of games for the reserves side during the campaign, Emberson has failed to win back his place in the first team after he slipped out with an injury sustained in a collision with Oxford United’s Julian Alsop at the Kassam Stadium in September.
As a result, the ex-Luton Town custodian lost his place at Roots Hall, first to rookie Ryan Robinson, who featured in two matches before falling out of contention himself, then Andy Petterson, who it was revealed had not de-registered from his Irish outfit before linking up with Blues. Lucky to escape a points deduction, United returned to former fans’ favourite Darryl Flahavan in time for the September 27th clash at Scunthorpe United, and he has retained his place ever since.
Emberson was visibly frustrated at having failed to recover his position as the Seasiders’ number one, and told The Little Gazette after the recent home game with Swansea City in March, “It’s all politics”. He picked up six Man-of-the-Match awards for the second-string, but did not make the trip to old haunting ground, Layer Road, last Wednesday for the decisive Pontin’s Holidays Cup encounter.
The goalkeeper made seven appearances for the first eleven, keeping just two clean sheets in the home clashes against Cheltenham Town on the opening day of the season and Bury in late August during a 1-0 win. We at The Little Gazette would like to extend our thanks to Emberson for his displays in Southend United colours, and wish him all the best in finding a new club in the future, an opportunity that he has been handed by this early departure.
Robinson will now make the step-up to the substitutes’ bench for the match against Northampton Town on Saturday, and the Cumbrian former Blackburn Rovers ‘keeper will hope that he can renew his contract before the season is out as Steve Tilson and Paul Brush begin their summer clear-out.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com