Gareth Risbridger leaves the Blues

Gareth Risbridger

Gareth Risbridger caught up with The Little Gazette after agreeing his settlement with Southend United Football Club, “ I am disappointed at leaving the Blues, I really thought I had a chance of making it in the third division with Southend, I couldn’t have been more happier than when David Webb asked me to join in the summer, I’d been at Yeovil Town since I’d left school and worked my way up through the youth and reserve sides” said twenty year old Gareth.

“ I don’t think I was given a real chance, I was thrilled when I was made a substitute for the first game of the season against Darlington and when I came on for the last few minutes, it was like a dream come true. It all went wrong for me after David Webb left and Rob Newman took charge, I went on loan to Conference side Dover and did well there, even though I was suffering from the flu during my loan spell on the south coast, I went down and trained with Dover last night actually, Neville Southall is the manager there now but I really want to continue playing full time and they are only part-time”.

Gareth continued “ I have got a few options open to me at the moment and my agent is sorting something out, I feel fit at the moment but I need more games to make me match fit, I have played for the reserves recently on the left wing, right wing and centre half and I thought I did well but the manager just does not see me as part of his future plans, I really don’t think I have been given a fair chance, I did well pre-season in the central midfield position I like, but have not played in that position for ages, my confidence has suffered recently especially when I have been made to train with the youth team all the time, Edmund Chibogu and Shane Wardley are in the same situation as me, its not fair on Shane who has been outstanding for the reserves in the last three games, still that’s the way it is".

Risbridger who holds the UEFA “B” coaching badge even at his young age was looking forward with confidence now he has made the break “ I know I can make it and nothing would please me more than to come back to Roots Hall one day and score the winning goal to show people that I have made it, I want to thank all the Southend United supporters, the fans have been great to me since I have been at the Blues and I couldn’t have wished for more support, I just wish that I could have shown them the real Gareth Risbridger”

Southend United have today announced that Shane Wardley and Edmund Chibogu have also had their contracts paid up and have left the club today by mutual consent.

Right back Stephen Broad has today agreed a one year extension to his current deal tying him to the club until the end of the 2002/2003 season.

Steve Connolly
www.thelittlegazette.com