The 24-year-old Southampton-born shotstopper was released at the end of the 2002/3 campaign by Steve Wignall under the guidance of assistants Stewart Robson, who has since departed, and Steve Tilson. After trialling with Brighton & Hove Albion, where he failed to turn up for a friendly and was shown the exit by then boss Steve Coppell, and Wimbledon, who were unable to afford his wages in the midst of their move to Milton Keynes, he found himself invited back to the south Essex coastline by Wignall in late September.
That was on a non-contract basis, and he made his second Shrimpers debut in the 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe United, a clash that saw Blues gain their first point on their travels since January 14th. Three days later the popular custodian kept a clean sheet at the Reynolds Arena as United claimed another point in a 0-0 draw with
Last week, chief Wignall told the club’s official website, www.southendunited.co.uk, that Flahavan deserved a new deal, and a second chance, “Darryl has worked tirelessly since he returned here and has put in some great performances. It is now in the hands of Darryl to where he wants to take things from here”. This afternoon, Flahavan revealed, “we discussed terms and everything seems to be fine. I want to get the Orient game out of the way because it is a big game for us and hopefully at the start of next week I’ll put pen to paper. There has been a bit of interest from other things but as I have said before I am enjoying it here and I can’t see any problems with e signing, there is no reason why I shouldn’t”.
Flahavan’s signature means that the Seasiders would have three goalkeepers on their books, with Danny Naisbitt also on a trial basis. Carl Emberson has now resumed training after his calf injury, and this has sparked runours that young ‘keeper Ryan Robinson, himself only signed in the summer, will be farmed out on loan to a Conference side to gain first-team experience.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com