Southend United and CD Javea

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Extract from the latest Shrimpers Trust newsletter:

Meanwhile, a swathe of youngsters, have found time to gain work experience in non-League football, with Luke Thurlbourne in particular impressing at St Albans City of Blue Square Conference South. Henry has appeared at BGB Southern League Premier Division Cheshunt and is currently with Ryman League Premier Division outfit Harlow Town, where he joins Lindie and Obaze, whilst Hopkins and Richard Priest appeared at Cheshunt. To complete it all, Sam Higgins has performed for Conference South Bishops Stortford, and [Tom] Hopkins and Dan Harvey have joined Spanish Fourth Division club CD Javea.

... and thoroughly enjoying themselves by all accounts.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Was that anything to do with you Mike?

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

No, not really. Pure coincidence I reckon. I think the board saw the "La Lower Liga" programme on Sky Sports back in January and got in contact. (Sky Sports are following our progress this season.) Ray Osbourne, Ricky Duncan, Luke Hobbs and Mark Bonner came over to experience our home game against CD El Campello at the beginning of the month, liked what they saw, and things progressrf from there. Aside from me, Fay and Unc, the real link is the fact that Kenny Brown, one-time loan player at Roots Hall (1996/97) is the manager. Our president is apparently guest-of-honour of Ron Martin at this Saturday's game against Walsall; I missed out due to the fact that my passport has expired!

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Ah well, hope you can keep us informed with the progress of Hopkins and Harvey.

Hopefully they'll be better than Dave "Crueyff" McSweeney, Yemi Aboudin and the other young hopefuls we had when you were last attending regularly.

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Sure will. They should be attending this weekend's home game against Santa Pola CF (we've had a two-week Easter break) so I hope to make "official" contact on Sunday ...