Raynes of Stockport on Shrimper radar

With Stockport players leaving the financially troubled club in droves, Brighton picked up a couple last month, it was a surprise that no interest was being shown by Southend, especially as the Lancashire club were having such a good season until losing 10 points for going into administartion.

However, that seems to have changed with Blues boss Steve Tilson telling the Echo that the 21-year-old County skipper is in fact of interest of the club.

With an asking fee of only £50,000 this seems a decent buy and hopefully he won't slip through the net by us trying to be too smart as there has been interest from SPL club Motherwell, now managed by the players former manager, Jim Gannon.

The Scottish Sun actually believed Gannon would make Raynes his first signing.

An Edgley Park 'source' told the Echo: "There has certainly been interest from Southend in Michael but at the moment they haven't offered what Stockport are asking. With the club being in administration he is available on the cheap and could go for around £50,000 but Southend have not gone that high yet."

Raynes signed for the Hatters from the Stockport County Centre of Excellence at the age of 11 having been captain of Manchester Boys as well as representing Manchester School Boys.

His first league appearance was coming on as a substitute against Torquay United on New Years Day 2005 where he is reported as 'putting up a great display'.

In that year (2005), and after only 20 league games for County, then Middlesborough boss Steve McClaren showed interest in signing him.

The defender himself has been quoted as saying: "I believe I'm capable of playing at a higher level, but I'm a Stockport player until I'm told otherwise."

Stepping out at Celtic Park could be an attraction then, and if Uncle Ron tries to get him for petrol money this might turn into another lost opportunity.

A one club man Michael played against the Blues in both league games last season.

The Raynes Files