Speaking in the Blackpool Gazette, central defender Peter Clarke described how he "had unfinished business at Blackpool". Clarke aged 26, left Blackpool to join the Blues, then in the Championship, for a fee of £250,000. However the timing of his move was slightly out and he left us on the verge of the season. With some fans calling him a "Judas".
Although Clarke believes he had a good relationship with the fans of the club when he was here. He said "I had a great relationship with the fans when I was at Blackpool, and if some of them are saying they would like to see me back that is brilliant."
Whether Grayson will make a move for Clarke is unknown but Clarke was keen to stress he has unfinished business at Blackpool, which some may see as a "Come and get me" message for Simon Grayson.
He said "Larry (manager Simon Grayson) may have other ideas about that, and we will only find out in the course of time whether it comes about or not. But what I will say is that I feel I still have unfinished business at Blackpool.
Speaking on Blackpool promotion he said. "The club got promoted to the Championship and I was not there to be a part of it, but I thought it was brilliant for the lads and the fans."
Clarke finally explained how his transfer listed status came about. He explained: "I was on holiday when I found out on Thursday, I still have one year left on my contract and the club wanted me to sign an extension for a further 12 months. I said I didn't want to sign for another year at this stage, and then I found out I was being put on the transfer list with two other first-team players. I find it all a bit strange but I suppose these things happen in football".
Meanwhile the Vital Football site continues to grab at straws, now linking Marky with Tranmere and Walsall as well as Swansea. Well, the site's advertisers must be happy because I bet clicks are up, maybe I should just pick a couple of names out of a hat, would guarantee a few links on Shrimperzone! As far as we all know he's still lying on a Florida beach somewhere.
Two facts. One; he is out of contract, making it easier for him to move on than some of the others. Two; last season he did get some unwarranted abuse at times which I saw him react to on at least two occasions, at Northampton and Cheltenham, he can't have a great love for some sections of the Roots Hall faithfull. (He was one of only three players I have given a 4 out of 10 to over the last three seasons, though I probably made him man of the match second only to Bailey, "when Gower plays well, the team does", so you pays your money ect.)
Personally, I hope he stays, for his goals alone, however players do move on and maybe it's Mark's time. If Swansea do follow up I would not begrudge him another go at the Championship, especially as 30 is around the corner, though I believe he would not just walk into the side, Robinson gone or not.
Walsall and Tranmere are just non starters IMO and a cheap shot but, hey, they've got to pick a long one eventually, maybe! What's amazing is how much of the local and national press pick this crap up. I'd love to prove the theory but I'm off on holiday tonight for the rest of the month so I'll leave it to others to earn their backers a few pennies.
The unloved message board will be closed as I cannot moderate it, and it does need it at times, hopefully a relaunch of the site will attract a higher quality of post, but I'm not holding my breath.
There will be a new name for the site, Alan Little has moved on several times since as well as the original editors. My thanks to them for keeping me informed on the Blues circa 2003/04 when I was buzzing around Oz but I'm sure they would agree it now needs updating!
The name I will pass on when I know it as well as some new posters including a female presence. Certainly it will be more an online magazine, others have got the message board angle sewn up as well as the latest club news, mainly the official site! We will do our best with previews and reports but try and give a more overall picture of life, football and the club we all love, Southend United. Should be fun, hope you stick around.
Thanks to the the power of the web I'll be trying to update as I travel the islands but, until I get back, I'll add the latest news from around the League One spectrum, but expect a lot about Leeds, and..............Borient make a move on Bailey.
I'll get my coat.
Have a great summer.
EEB.