The 23-year-old has made his switch from Northampton Town a permanent one after spending a month on loan with the Shrimpers, which culminated in the one-all draw at Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Stadium last Saturday. The deal is thought to have been hastily arranged to allow him to play in this afternoon’s clash with Swansea City, in which he scored the fifth goal of his eight-game Seasiders’ career. He has committed himself to an eighteen-month contract that comes to an end in the summer close season of 2005.
The signing signals an extension to the period that the front man has described as “my happiest time in football”. He also revealed to Southend supporters in the West Country that he hoped “to sign next week”, and after the appointment of Steve Tilson as manager and Paul Brush as team coach until the end of this campaign, Dudfield has kept to his word.
That did not always look as though it was going to be the case, with Yeovil Town snooping around the prolific front-runner. Even the six-foot tall striker’s agent, Richard Cody, seemed to favour a move to the Glovers. But, despite the last ditch attempt to prose him away from Roots Hall, Dudfield is now a full-blown Shrimper.
New boss Steve Tilson spoke to the official club website, www.southendunited.co.uk about the move, saying, “It’s fantastic that he’s signed. He has done extremely well since he came here and his workrate has been second to none. He has a great character and is very professional in his approach to the game and it’s great to have him here”.
Cobblers chief Colin Calderwood wished Dudfield all the best. He told www.ntfc.co.uk, “I would like to say a very sincere thank you to Lawrie for his efforts while at the club”. Echoing Tilson’s comments, the former Tottenham Hotspur defender stated, “Lawrie has demonstrated a tremendous attitude while with us and I wish him the very best for the future. He has never been anything less than a very good professional and we wish him every success in his future”.
A future which, of course, starts here at Roots Hall for the next year-and-a-half. All together now – “Lawrie Dudfield is a Blue, is a Blue, is a Blue…”!
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com