Southend United's Ryan Hall receives 20-week custodial sentence!

Ryan Hall: Facing his porridge from the morning

Is this the day the play-off dream died?

Sadly it's been confirmed that winger Ryan Hall, will miss the rest of the League Two campaign after being given a 20-week jail sentence for affray, the London born player was released on bail at the start of February.

It's a great loss, not so much for his goals, he's scored four this term, but for his assists, top scorer Barry Corr will particularly miss his accurate corners and crosses, ask Northampton Town just last weekend.

A charge of possessing an offensive weapon was dropped prior to the original hearing at Southend Magistrates Court.

The incident happening after the team's Christmas party, where we are informed a group of individuals made a racist comment against Ryan.

Some will believe he's been unlucky when similar offences can go with the guilty parties getting a slap on the wrist and serve a few hundred hours in the service of the community.

However, with a charge such as this there's always a chance of jail time and possibily the judge involved wanted to make an example.

Ryan did plead guilty, and the positive news, if that's what it can be called, is that he'll be out in half the time with ten weeks being allowed to be served on licence, which would allow the former Crystal Palace player to take part in any play-off post-season campaign, if we now indeed get into the top seven.

Ryan's solicitor applied to the court for bail pending an appeal but that request was turned down.

A subsequent request for bail pending an appeal has been lodged with the Crown Court and will be heard Friday, March 4th.

Once tomorrow's decision has been made we should find out if the club intends to stand by him which I would believe it will decide to do.

Of course, many would feel that with a charge such as this a more correct message to send out to the younger support is to end his contract and effectively sack him which Southend would be entitled to do.

The official site did release the following statement at the time: 'Mr. Hall was bailed until 3rd March when he will be required to reappear for sentencing. Whilst legal proceedings are ongoing it would be inappropriate for the football club to comment on the specifics of the case. However, we would like to reassure supporters that Ryan is receiving the full support of the Club's management and his teammates at this time'

A statement today did not add anything to that other than give the facts that you've read above.

The Cobblers at home last Saturday then could be the last time we see the 23-year-old for the season, so is it step up Louie Soares, or young Liverpool starlet Jason Banton, or will Luggy look further afield?

We will see, but certainly what was always a tough ask to make the play-offs, some would say a miracle after the summer we had and the financial problems we have, may certainly need some divine intervention now!

So is this end of the club's play-off hopes? Make your decision:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/interactive/voting_polls.asp

Before the verdict:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
southend_united_await_decision_day_as_ryan_hall_returns_to_court_
652833/index.shtml

The Hall Files