The former Aston Villa man’s Southend career has now moved full circle from his arrival in July 2003 when, after giving a fine display in the pre-season friendly against Gillingham, the Kent side attempted to snatch him from the Shrimpers grasp. Husbands remained loyal to the cause, signing a two-year deal for United’s then-manager Steve Wignall.
However, after just four starts, his season was disrupted by injury, and the remainder of his fourteen appearances for Blues were from the substitutes bench as the anticipated partnership with Drewe Broughton failed to blossom. The arrival of Leon Constantine, subsequently replaced by Wayne Gray, and Lawrie Dudfield, and the continued enigmatic qualities of Tesfaye Bramble led to Husbands plying his trade in the second-string, where he netted against Brighton & Hove Albion in December to open his Southend account.
One further Essex Senior Cup goal later and the season was over, and he was wrongly named as an example of the poor signings Wignall made by director Ron Martin in an interview with the Southend Evening Echo. It seemed then that Husbands would be allowed to leave Roots Hall, but a possible spot on the left- or right-hand side of midfield meant that the one-time Hereford United loanee stayed in southeast Essex.
The 20-year-old bagged a goal against Oxford United in the Pontin’s Holidays Combination, and threw down the gauntlet to the coaching staff. Talking to the club’s official website, www.southendunited.co.uk, after the game, he said, “I was pleased with my showing and I was pleased that I got a goal. I took it down with a good touch and saw the keeper badly positioned so I tried my luck. I took people on today and I thought my final ball was a lot better so hopefully the gaffer has seen that and will consider me in his plans”.
However, that has not happened, and the Birmingham-born youngster is now transfer-listed. Manager Steve Tilson today told the official site, “We’ve decided to circulate Michael’s details around the clubs as being available for loan or a permanent transfer”. He cited this as the major reason, “Carl Pettefer has been doing ever so well for us this season which has resulted in Michael’s chances being limited to reserve appearances”. It is thought Tilson would prefer a loan move, but a monetary bid would sway his mind.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com