Matthew Judge, formerly of Luton Town, and Ben Surey, a central midfielder who was released by Crystal Palace at the end of last season, are both linking up with United and are hoping to do enough over the pre-season schedule to earn a full-time contract with the southeast Essex club. Both players came through the youth set-up at their respective clubs, and have lined up against various Southend outfits in the past.
Judge, who has a penchant for the extravagant goal, netted 31 times in just 45 matches for the Hatters various youth outfits before being stagnating in the club’s Under-19 side last year with Town failing to enter an outfit for the Pontin’s Holidays Combination Reserve League. He made his last appearance for them on April 24th, when they lost out on the Merit Division Two (South) title by virtue of three guilt-edged misses from the front man, who did play a pivotal part in their strike.
Tipped as someone with a bright future in the game, he netted his only professional goal for the Hatters against Stevenage Borough in the 90th minute of a 1-0 win that led to Luton losing 3-0 against the Seasiders in the area quarter-finals of the LDV Vans Trophy. He failed to make a youthful squad on that day. He made one further substitute appearance, in what now constitutes the old Division Two against Brentford four days later.
In 2002/3 he made his only start, against Woking in round one of the LDV, and played a part in wins over Stevenage Borough (again in the LDV) and Colchester United (5-0 on the last day of the season at Layer Road), as well as an F.A. Cup defeat to Wigan Athletic. He has also represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-19 level, and was on schoolboy terms with Tottenham Hotspur before being surprisingly released.
Surey was allowed to leave by Crystal Palace after they secured promotion to the Premiership in the play-off final against Blues’ Carling Cup first round opponents West Ham United. The 19-year-old was a regular for their reserve side throughout last term, playing in the Eagles 3-0 demolition of United’s second-string at Selhurst Park last February. He went out on loan to Gravesend & Northfleet of the Football Conference in the final months of last season, starting seven times and making a substitute appearance in a further encounter.
Robert Craven
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