Midfielder Smith Signs New Blues Deal

Last updated : 04 June 2004 By Mark Wallis
Jay Smith will spend at least another year at Roots Hall.
The former Aston Villa youngster, who has seen his last two campaigns end abruptly with serious injuries - the latest a nasty ankle knock against Cambridge United in early February - has been a crucial part of the Shrimpers engine room and boss Steve Tilson and the supporters will be delighted with the new deal.

"I'm happy That evetrhing is out of the wqay now and I can look forward to next season" Smith told the official United website www.southendunited.co.uk before adding "I found it hard watching last year, I wanted to be out there to play my part. I've been injured a lot though since I've been here so I've had to get use to it. Hopefully that is all behind me now though!"

Other news filtering out of Roots Hall is that captain Kevin Maher, rumoured to be interesting both Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday is expected to stay loyal to the Shrimpers a sign a new deal to keep him at the Club until the centenary in 2006, indeed that will take Maher's United career to eight years.

Michael Husbands, it seems, has also been told that he is free to leave the Club on a free transfer. The young striker, who also arrived from Aston Villa, struck an instant note with supporters last pre-season, but with one year of his contract stil to play out the Birmingham-based front runner will be eager to seek regular first team football elsewhere.

Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com