Matt the Shrimp
aka Harry Potter
Again, reproduced with the kind permission of Blues News, courtesy of Southend United Football Club:
<span style='color:blue'>"I AM CHUFFED TO BITS I HAVE SIGNED FOR SOUTHEND"</span>
New Southend signing Adam Barrett caught up with Blues News following his move from Bristol Rovers to speak of his happiness in signing a two year contract with the Roots Hall side.
<span style='color:blue'>"I'm delighted to have signed",</span> said Barrett. <span style='color:blue'>"I grew up around this way and watched Southend as a kid so I'm delighted to be back with my family and friends as well. I am chuffed to bits that I've signed for Southend."</span>
24-year-old Barrett attended Belfairs Senior School as a youngster in Leigh-on-Sea and defenders decision to reject a contract offer from the former side Bristol Rovers on better terms was not a hard choice to make.
<span style='color:blue'>"I've got strong links in the area, it went well at Bristol Rovers in the time I was there but an opportunity like this came about and I'm absolutely delighted to come back to Southend. It wasn't a hard decision to leave Rovers in the end."</span>
Adam, a former Leyton Orient YTS player cited Blues assistant boss Paul Brush as one of the reasons behind his move to the Essex Coast.
<span style='color:blue'>"It helps knowing Paul; I've known him for a while. We had a good youth team at Leyton Orient where Paul was in charge of the youth set-up and I know what his strengths are. It does help there's someone familiar at the Club. He's working with Steve now and he's telling him what I'm like. But the main point is I'm very happy to be coming home and I'm absolutely delighted to be playing for my home town club."</span>
But despite enjoying his time with the O's Barrett rejected a pro contract with the East London side in favour of a move abroad.
<span style='color:blue'>"I wasn't happy with what Orient offered me they wanted me to go to Finland for six months which I wasn't pleased with. The option came up to go and do a scholarship in the States and I thought it was too good a chance to pass up so I went with that."</span>
Barrett, like current manager Steve Tilson, was a regular on the terraces at Roots Hall in his youth, coming to games whenever he had the chance.
<span style='color:blue'>"I use to come in the Stan Collymore days and when Barry Fry was manager so I used to come and watch fairly regularly. On a Tuesday night when I wasn't playing myself I came with my mates from school. I always enjoyed it and it's pleasing to be back and apart of things here."</span>
Dagenham born Barrett played 99 games in two seasons with the Pirates a commitment that the Southend faithful would be happy for him to show at United.
<span style='color:blue'>"I'm 100% committed, I'd class myself as a ball playing centre half rather than your average Third Division lump. I'm not bad in the air and I think I'm strong in the tackle. I just like to be playing and hopefully I can show people what I can do next season."</span>
With pre-season training fast approaching Adam is keen to get things going and meet his new team mates.
<span style='color:blue'>"When I played against Southend the last few seasons you had some good young players, you like to get the ball down and play. I think things are promising, I don't want to go setting targets but things are looking good and in the right vein of form hopefully we can achieve something together."
"I know the guys from playing against them and I know Che Wilson from Bristol Rovers as well as playing with him at County level. The other lads it's just through the football association but I'm looking forward to getting to know them."</span>
<span style='color:blue'>"I AM CHUFFED TO BITS I HAVE SIGNED FOR SOUTHEND"</span>
New Southend signing Adam Barrett caught up with Blues News following his move from Bristol Rovers to speak of his happiness in signing a two year contract with the Roots Hall side.
<span style='color:blue'>"I'm delighted to have signed",</span> said Barrett. <span style='color:blue'>"I grew up around this way and watched Southend as a kid so I'm delighted to be back with my family and friends as well. I am chuffed to bits that I've signed for Southend."</span>
24-year-old Barrett attended Belfairs Senior School as a youngster in Leigh-on-Sea and defenders decision to reject a contract offer from the former side Bristol Rovers on better terms was not a hard choice to make.
<span style='color:blue'>"I've got strong links in the area, it went well at Bristol Rovers in the time I was there but an opportunity like this came about and I'm absolutely delighted to come back to Southend. It wasn't a hard decision to leave Rovers in the end."</span>
Adam, a former Leyton Orient YTS player cited Blues assistant boss Paul Brush as one of the reasons behind his move to the Essex Coast.
<span style='color:blue'>"It helps knowing Paul; I've known him for a while. We had a good youth team at Leyton Orient where Paul was in charge of the youth set-up and I know what his strengths are. It does help there's someone familiar at the Club. He's working with Steve now and he's telling him what I'm like. But the main point is I'm very happy to be coming home and I'm absolutely delighted to be playing for my home town club."</span>
But despite enjoying his time with the O's Barrett rejected a pro contract with the East London side in favour of a move abroad.
<span style='color:blue'>"I wasn't happy with what Orient offered me they wanted me to go to Finland for six months which I wasn't pleased with. The option came up to go and do a scholarship in the States and I thought it was too good a chance to pass up so I went with that."</span>
Barrett, like current manager Steve Tilson, was a regular on the terraces at Roots Hall in his youth, coming to games whenever he had the chance.
<span style='color:blue'>"I use to come in the Stan Collymore days and when Barry Fry was manager so I used to come and watch fairly regularly. On a Tuesday night when I wasn't playing myself I came with my mates from school. I always enjoyed it and it's pleasing to be back and apart of things here."</span>
Dagenham born Barrett played 99 games in two seasons with the Pirates a commitment that the Southend faithful would be happy for him to show at United.
<span style='color:blue'>"I'm 100% committed, I'd class myself as a ball playing centre half rather than your average Third Division lump. I'm not bad in the air and I think I'm strong in the tackle. I just like to be playing and hopefully I can show people what I can do next season."</span>
With pre-season training fast approaching Adam is keen to get things going and meet his new team mates.
<span style='color:blue'>"When I played against Southend the last few seasons you had some good young players, you like to get the ball down and play. I think things are promising, I don't want to go setting targets but things are looking good and in the right vein of form hopefully we can achieve something together."
"I know the guys from playing against them and I know Che Wilson from Bristol Rovers as well as playing with him at County level. The other lads it's just through the football association but I'm looking forward to getting to know them."</span>
