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Speaking to the club's official website, www.southendunited.co.uk, Fullarton expressed his reasons for signing: "I had a meeting wih Steve Wignall and Stewart Robson last week and the impression they made on me swung it really". Having explained that there were two or three other offers made to him, the combative midfielder continued, "I am ambitious and I have a great desire to do well...I am a talker, an organiser and a winner".
Wignall himself also had his say on the deal, commenting, "We were competing with a couple of other clubs, two of which are in our division, we didn't want it released as it turns into an auction otherwise". The former Aldershot Town and Colchester United manager also revealed that he had spoken to ex-Cheltenham Town chief Steve Cotterill before making the offer. In a hint as to the midfield duo for the season's curtain-raiser against Cheltenham Town, the manager said, "He is one of those players that is very committed, likes a challenge and is a good organiser which I think is something that we've not really had in the middle of the park. Kevin [Maher] leads by example, he's a great player, always exceptional on the ball, not very vociferous and hopefully Jamie can complement him or whoever plays in middle of the park".
Before the match against the Robins, Blues tackle Gillingham in a pre-season friendly at Roots Hall, and joining Fullarton in the squad will be goalkeeper Ryan Robinson and forwards Leon Constantine and Carl Griffiths. Robinson is expected to play some part in the fixture after watching the 4-2 defeat to Ipswich Town from the substitute's bench. He will visit Roots Hall on Wednesday morning to discuss his future. Constantine was at Boots & Laces on Sunday morning to partake in training at the annual Meet The Blues Day spectacular. However, midfielder Ian Joy has been released from the training group after Wignall decided that his three left-sided players were enough fot upcoming campaign.
New signing Fullarton was born in Belshill, Lanarkshire, just outside of Motherwell, and started his career at St. Mirren where he made a little over a century of appearances in five seasons at Love Street. In August 1996 he moved on a free transfer to French club Bastia, but twelve months later he returned to Britaoin and signed for Crystal Palace. Whilst at Selhurst Park he made a further 53 appearances, netting once. In March 1999, Fullarton moved on loan to the Reebok Stadium, but played just one game for Bolton Wanderers. In November 2000 the cultured talent moved to Dundee United, but he was rarely used by the Terriers and he moved back south of the border prior to last season to play for Brentford. However, the Scot turned down the offer of a new deal in southwest London in July, and has been searchign for a new club since.
Jamie Fullarton Profile
Position: Midfielder
Nationality: Scottish (15[2] Under-21 caps)
Age: 29 (Born: 20th July 1974, Bellshill, Lanarkshire)
Height: 5ft 11ins
Weight: 11st 12lbs
Career (195 games, plus 25 as substitute, 5 goals):
St. Mirren (13th June 1991-31st May 1996): 104(10) games, 3 goals
Sporting Club de Bastia (1st August 1996-1st August 1997): no figures available
Crystal Palace (undisclosed fee; 1st August 1997-10th November 2000): 45(8) games, 1 goal
Bolton Wanderers (loan - 26th March 1999-23rd April 1999): 1 game, 0 goals
Dundee United (free; 10th November 2000-9th August 2002): 18(2) games, 0 goals
Brentford (free; 0th August 2002-4th July 2003): 27(5) games, 1 goal
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com