Former Aston Villa trainee Husbands, who scored just two goals in fourteen appearances for the Seasiders second-string last term in addition to fourteen goalless games for the first eleven, was on the verge of quitting southeast Essex after failing to break into the side after a series of debilitating injuries in mid-season. With Drewe Broughton, his pre-season partner, Lawrie Dudfield, Leon Constantine, Tesfaye Bramble and James Corbett all ahead of him in the pecking order last season, and Wayne Gray in to replace 25-year-old Constantine this summer, Husbands’ opportunities looked limited.
His time with Southend was also threatened when the club scrapped their Pontin’s Holidays Combination side, although that decision was reversed ten days ago. The 20-year-old Birmingham-born pace-merchant, who was courted by Gillingham after impressing in a pre-season friendly against the Kent side last year, has decided that he should stay and fight for his place after a prolonged period of soul-searching.
Manager Steve Tilson told the club’s official website, “Michael has decided he wants to stay. He’ll be back on Thursday for pre-season training [and although] I’m sure Michael will agree that he had a disappointing term last year, he’s decided to come back”. He will start what has been described as a tough schedule with the rest of the squad in two days time as Blues prepare for their Coca-Cola League Two opener against Cheltenham Town on August 7th, now just over five weeks away.
And another who is almost certain to be involved is club captain Kevin Maher, who has verbally agreed to sign a two-year contract with United whilst on holiday. He is expected in the club during the next 24 hours in order to commit himself to that 24-month tenure, which will see him, as well as fellow midfielders Mark Gower and Mark Bentley, stay on the Essex coastline until the summer of 2006 and the Shrimpers centenary celebrations.
However, it is unclear whether two more of last season’s squad will remain with Blues. Versatile defensive midfielder Lewis Hunt is back with Derby County at the moment, and is mulling over offers from at least two more clubs on top of Southend United. Tilson commented, “We’ve been talking to Lewis’ agent again and things are going well. Hopefully we will have some positive news soon”.
Goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan has also been stung by criticism from the Shrimpers legend, who told the Southend Evening Echo, “We went after a keeper, I told Flavs about it but that move fell through. Then Bart Griemink came up, again I told Flavs what was happening and the move eventually went through which is great news for us”.
Current Southend United squad for 2004/5:
Goalkeeper: Bart Griemink
Defenders: Adam Barrett, Andy Edwards, Duncan Jupp, Nicky Nicolau, Stuart Williams, Che Wilson,
Midfielders: Mark Bentley, James Corbett, Mark Gower, Michael Kightly, Kevin Maher (subject to contract signing), Carl Pettefer, Jay Smith,
Forwards: Tesfaye Bramble, Drewe Broughton, Lawrie Dudfield, Wayne Gray, Michael Husbands
Still to decide:
Darryl Flahavan, Lewis Hunt, Mark Warren
Robert Craven
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