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Flahavan - Why I had to leave Blues
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| Darryl Flahavan |
DARRYL Flahavan today explained he was forced to quit Southend United after they offered him just a year long deal to stay at Roots Hall.
As revealed in Echosport earlier this week, the goalkeeper has finally sealed a switch to Championship club Crystal Palace.
But it was Blues' reluctance to table a longer contract which led to the 30-year-old ending his lengthy stint with the Seasiders.
"I spoke to Southend when the season ended and they weren't prepared to offer me anything longer than a year," confirmed Flahavan who originally joined the Shrimpers from Woking in 2000 and has been handed a three-year-contract by the Londoners.
"My son Aaron is starting school soon though and that was an important factor in the decision because I wanted something more long-term.
"That wasn't going to happen at Southend so I made myself available for a move and as soon as I spoke to the manager here (Neil Warnock) I knew it was where I wanted to be."
However, after making 351 appearances for the club and enjoying a number of memorable moments, which included two successive promotions and a man of the match display in the 1-0 Carling Cup victory over Manchester United, the keeper admitted to also being saddened by his departure.
"I've had such a great time at Southend and really did love every second of being at the club," Flahavan told the Echo.
"Individually winning the PFA League One player of the season, along with the fans and players' player of the year awards meant an awful lot to me. So did the promotions, the games at the Millennium Stadium and, of course, beating Manchester United.
"That was amazing but playing a part in taking the club from the bottom of League Two right into the Championship meant an awful lot to me."
Flahavan played a huge part in the continued success but was quick to point out how Blues' goalkeeping coach Lee Turner had played a huge part in his development.
"I really do owe Lee a lot because he has been different class for me," said Flahavan who will now be coached by former Shrimpers keeper Jim Stannard at Palace.
"He really improved my game and I'd also like to thank the supporters.
"There were always fantastic with me at the ground or even just in the supermarket and it was something I always appreciated.
"I wish them all the best for the future and hope the club keep doing well."
But Flahavan, who stands eighth in the club's all-time appearance makers, is now fully focused on making a good impression with the Eagles and trying to force his way into the team, despite the fine form of Julian Speroni.
"He's a good keeper but I'm here to challenge him for a place," he said.
"I'm confident in my ability and will aim to make the most of any chance that comes my way."
6:00am Friday 4th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: Shrimper-Boy, East Black on 8:57am Fri 4 Jul 08
Good luck Darryl with the Eagles and thanks for your time between the sticks at The Hall
Seeing the disappointment on Ronaldo’s face when you made those great saves against Man, U will go down in history. . . Legend mate!!!!
Just seen new kit, which is a little reminder that Aug 9th is on its way!!!
Any sign of Bob the builder on Fossets Farm yet????
Good luck Darryl with the Eagles and thanks for your time between the sticks at The Hall
Seeing the disappointment on Ronaldo’s face when you made those great saves against Man, U will go down in history. . . Legend mate!!!!
Just seen new kit, which is a little reminder that Aug 9th is on its way!!!
Any sign of Bob the builder on Fossets Farm yet????
Posted by: Nigel on 9:05am Fri 4 Jul 08
Flahaven has been shabbily treated by the club who have forgotten that he got them up to the Championship in the first place, and was one of the few players who actually performed there. Without him and Kevin Maher (also disgracefully treated) the Championship season would have been a humiliation.
I hope I am wrong, but I see a season of real struggle ahead. Let's just hope that we are not in Division 2 when we go to the new stadium.
Flahaven has been shabbily treated by the club who have forgotten that he got them up to the Championship in the first place, and was one of the few players who actually performed there. Without him and Kevin Maher (also disgracefully treated) the Championship season would have been a humiliation.
I hope I am wrong, but I see a season of real struggle ahead. Let's just hope that we are not in Division 2 when we go to the new stadium.
Posted by: Bishmania on 10:32am Fri 4 Jul 08
All I have to say is
DARRYL FLAHAVAN
(CLAP CLAP, CLAP CLAP CLAP)
All I have to say is
DARRYL FLAHAVAN
(CLAP CLAP, CLAP CLAP CLAP)
Posted by: Shrimper-Boy 2 on 10:46am Fri 4 Jul 08
Please could we sign Charlie Mulgrew so atleast we can see the club intends to spend a bit of money over the summer. You never know Uncle Ron might get the taste for spending money ;)
Please could we sign Charlie Mulgrew so atleast we can see the club intends to spend a bit of money over the summer. You never know Uncle Ron might get the taste for spending money ;)
Posted by: southend til i die, chelmsford on 10:53am Fri 4 Jul 08
Feel quite upset that Southend have failed to keep some of our better players and stupidly let them go for nothing.We know the class that Gower + Flavs produce and neither of them were greedy with their demands just needed security for their families... and yet long contracts are thown around to others who clearly arent in the same league as Marky G + Flavs. ( Frank Moussa you need to show us your worthy )Why the club don't use more nouse every time like they did with Hooper is beyond me ( sign him on a longer contact , loan him out for the shop window + then sell him for 100k rather than let him walk free ) Ron sometimes your business sense really is lacking ! He asks for loyalty from us supporters which of course we all give in large numbers ,, but show very little loyalty to long serving players (inc Maher) compared to the money grabbing fly by nights we are paying highly inflated cash for . Roll on the pre season friendlies but i cant help feeling we should not expect to have anywhere near as good a season as the last one.
Feel quite upset that Southend have failed to keep some of our better players and stupidly let them go for nothing.We know the class that Gower + Flavs produce and neither of them were greedy with their demands just needed security for their families... and yet long contracts are thown around to others who clearly arent in the same league as Marky G + Flavs. ( Frank Moussa you need to show us your worthy )Why the club don't use more nouse every time like they did with Hooper is beyond me ( sign him on a longer contact , loan him out for the shop window + then sell him for 100k rather than let him walk free ) Ron sometimes your business sense really is lacking ! He asks for loyalty from us supporters which of course we all give in large numbers ,, but show very little loyalty to long serving players (inc Maher) compared to the money grabbing fly by nights we are paying highly inflated cash for . Roll on the pre season friendlies but i cant help feeling we should not expect to have anywhere near as good a season as the last one.
Posted by: Wot no players, no goals, no stadium ! on 11:12am Fri 4 Jul 08
[quote][bold]southend til i die[/bold] wrote:
Feel quite upset that Southend have failed to keep some of our better players and stupidly let them go for nothing.We know the class that Gower + Flavs produce and neither of them were greedy with their demands just needed security for their families... and yet long contracts are thown around to others who clearly arent in the same league as Marky G + Flavs. ( Frank Moussa you need to show us your worthy )Why the club don't use more nouse every time like they did with Hooper is beyond me ( sign him on a longer contact , loan him out for the shop window + then sell him for 100k rather than let him walk free ) Ron sometimes your business sense really is lacking ! He asks for loyalty from us supporters which of course we all give in large numbers ,, but show very little loyalty to long serving players (inc Maher) compared to the money grabbing fly by nights we are paying highly inflated cash for . Roll on the pre season friendlies but i cant help feeling we should not expect to have anywhere near as good a season as the last one.[/quote] Are SUFC supporters finally waking to the ruse that RM has pulled.
He cannot afford to build the stadium so rather than admit it he lets all the good players go. Next season will be a disaster, the club will be demoted and RM announces that the League they are in doesn't warrant a new stadium......
southend til i die wrote:
Feel quite upset that Southend have failed to keep some of our better players and stupidly let them go for nothing.We know the class that Gower + Flavs produce and neither of them were greedy with their demands just needed security for their families... and yet long contracts are thown around to others who clearly arent in the same league as Marky G + Flavs. ( Frank Moussa you need to show us your worthy )Why the club don't use more nouse every time like they did with Hooper is beyond me ( sign him on a longer contact , loan him out for the shop window + then sell him for 100k rather than let him walk free ) Ron sometimes your business sense really is lacking ! He asks for loyalty from us supporters which of course we all give in large numbers ,, but show very little loyalty to long serving players (inc Maher) compared to the money grabbing fly by nights we are paying highly inflated cash for . Roll on the pre season friendlies but i cant help feeling we should not expect to have anywhere near as good a season as the last one.
Are SUFC supporters finally waking to the ruse that RM has pulled.
He cannot afford to build the stadium so rather than admit it he lets all the good players go. Next season will be a disaster, the club will be demoted and RM announces that the League they are in doesn't warrant a new stadium......
Posted by: Beefy, Eastwood on 11:32am Fri 4 Jul 08
Sometimes you have to step back one step in order to go forward and that is what we're doing this summer. Whilst Darryl has technically chosen to move away we all knew once he was only offered a year that the writing was on the wall for him. It's a different situation with Gower as obviously the Club were desperate to keep him.
Maher wasn't disgracefully treated. He lost his place to two far better players and as the highest earner in the squad he's been allowed to move on. Nothing wrong with that. It happens.
Darryl will always be a popular figure at Roots Hall. The Man United game keeps getting mentioned but whilst he was busy that night all the shots were right at him. He's put in a lot of far better performances than that one over the years including at White Hart Lane in the quarter final just a few weeks after we saw off Ronaldo, Rooney & co. There are few better shot-stoppers in the country but there's a lot of us now who have come around to the way of thinking that we need a different type of goalkeeper who can help to curtail the number of goals that we conceed from set-pieces and from balls into the six yard box. Hopefully Mildenhall can be that man.
That's a discussion for another day though. This is a time to thank Darryl Flahavan for all of his efforts over the years. We've been lucky to have had three good keepers over the past 20 years and Flavs was a worth successor to Paul Sansome & Simon Royce. He'll be sure to get a great reception if and when he returns to Southend with an opposition team and maybe one day he'll return and make up those six games that he's behind Sammy in the all time list....
Sometimes you have to step back one step in order to go forward and that is what we're doing this summer. Whilst Darryl has technically chosen to move away we all knew once he was only offered a year that the writing was on the wall for him. It's a different situation with Gower as obviously the Club were desperate to keep him.
Maher wasn't disgracefully treated. He lost his place to two far better players and as the highest earner in the squad he's been allowed to move on. Nothing wrong with that. It happens.
Darryl will always be a popular figure at Roots Hall. The Man United game keeps getting mentioned but whilst he was busy that night all the shots were right at him. He's put in a lot of far better performances than that one over the years including at White Hart Lane in the quarter final just a few weeks after we saw off Ronaldo, Rooney & co. There are few better shot-stoppers in the country but there's a lot of us now who have come around to the way of thinking that we need a different type of goalkeeper who can help to curtail the number of goals that we conceed from set-pieces and from balls into the six yard box. Hopefully Mildenhall can be that man.
That's a discussion for another day though. This is a time to thank Darryl Flahavan for all of his efforts over the years. We've been lucky to have had three good keepers over the past 20 years and Flavs was a worth successor to Paul Sansome & Simon Royce. He'll be sure to get a great reception if and when he returns to Southend with an opposition team and maybe one day he'll return and make up those six games that he's behind Sammy in the all time list....
Posted by: Selwyn Ansah, Southend on 11:36am Fri 4 Jul 08
So "Wot no players, no goals, no stadium ! on Today" does your teacher know your not at school? Grow up, open your eyes and look at whats really happening. Last season we did not quite make it. Rebuilding the squad based on the plus points of last season is what ST,PB an RM are doing. Macca, Francis, Barrett, Barney, Walker are the new backbone. We have a new goalie who we ALL need to get behind. A new centre half to replace the one who won't sign his new improved contract. ST & RM will bring in new quality players. Trust them - don't panic! It only July not August. Perhaps someone can read this out for you if you having trouble with the big words. (just joking!) UP THE BLUES!!!
Selwyn Ansah
So "Wot no players, no goals, no stadium ! on Today" does your teacher know your not at school? Grow up, open your eyes and look at whats really happening. Last season we did not quite make it. Rebuilding the squad based on the plus points of last season is what ST,PB an RM are doing. Macca, Francis, Barrett, Barney, Walker are the new backbone. We have a new goalie who we ALL need to get behind. A new centre half to replace the one who won't sign his new improved contract. ST & RM will bring in new quality players. Trust them - don't panic! It only July not August. Perhaps someone can read this out for you if you having trouble with the big words. (just joking!) UP THE BLUES!!!
Selwyn Ansah
Posted by: Shrimper-Boy, East Black on 12:07pm Fri 4 Jul 08
After the dark day’s of Vic ‘Mr Casino’ Jobson and Steve ‘Clueless’ Wiggnal, I can say without any hesitation that this IS and possibly COULD be the best management team we have ever had at The Hall!!!!
Selwyn is right!!!, trust in Tilly and Brush to get the right players in, i’e’ Eastwood, Macca, Frano etc, trust in Uncle Ron not to bow down to greedy agents !!
‘Wat No’, get yourself down to the club shop and treat yourself to the new kit!!! and start to feel like a proper supporter !!!
After the dark day’s of Vic ‘Mr Casino’ Jobson and Steve ‘Clueless’ Wiggnal, I can say without any hesitation that this IS and possibly COULD be the best management team we have ever had at The Hall!!!!
Selwyn is right!!!, trust in Tilly and Brush to get the right players in, i’e’ Eastwood, Macca, Frano etc, trust in Uncle Ron not to bow down to greedy agents !!
‘Wat No’, get yourself down to the club shop and treat yourself to the new kit!!! and start to feel like a proper supporter !!!
Posted by: Beefy, Eastwood on 12:08pm Fri 4 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Wot no players, no goals, no stadium ![/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]southend til i die[/bold] wrote: Feel quite upset that Southend have failed to keep some of our better players and stupidly let them go for nothing.We know the class that Gower + Flavs produce and neither of them were greedy with their demands just needed security for their families... and yet long contracts are thown around to others who clearly arent in the same league as Marky G + Flavs. ( Frank Moussa you need to show us your worthy )Why the club don\'t use more nouse every time like they did with Hooper is beyond me ( sign him on a longer contact , loan him out for the shop window + then sell him for 100k rather than let him walk free ) Ron sometimes your business sense really is lacking ! He asks for loyalty from us supporters which of course we all give in large numbers ,, but show very little loyalty to long serving players (inc Maher) compared to the money grabbing fly by nights we are paying highly inflated cash for . Roll on the pre season friendlies but i cant help feeling we should not expect to have anywhere near as good a season as the last one.[/quote] Are SUFC supporters finally waking to the ruse that RM has pulled. He cannot afford to build the stadium so rather than admit it he lets all the good players go. Next season will be a disaster, the club will be demoted and RM announces that the League they are in doesn\'t warrant a new stadium...... [/quote] Ron said the other day that we'll be in the new ground in 24 months fom now. In a year's time we'll be a fair way through building and the only way that Ron will make money on the deal is to build and sell the flats/hotel/retail park which he isn't allowed to build until the stadium is built.
There's no logical or rational foundation behind your allegations. I'll be interested to know at what point you'll be prepared to admit that you're talking crap.
Wot no players, no goals, no stadium ! wrote:
southend til i die wrote: Feel quite upset that Southend have failed to keep some of our better players and stupidly let them go for nothing.We know the class that Gower + Flavs produce and neither of them were greedy with their demands just needed security for their families... and yet long contracts are thown around to others who clearly arent in the same league as Marky G + Flavs. ( Frank Moussa you need to show us your worthy )Why the club don\'t use more nouse every time like they did with Hooper is beyond me ( sign him on a longer contact , loan him out for the shop window + then sell him for 100k rather than let him walk free ) Ron sometimes your business sense really is lacking ! He asks for loyalty from us supporters which of course we all give in large numbers ,, but show very little loyalty to long serving players (inc Maher) compared to the money grabbing fly by nights we are paying highly inflated cash for . Roll on the pre season friendlies but i cant help feeling we should not expect to have anywhere near as good a season as the last one.
Are SUFC supporters finally waking to the ruse that RM has pulled. He cannot afford to build the stadium so rather than admit it he lets all the good players go. Next season will be a disaster, the club will be demoted and RM announces that the League they are in doesn\'t warrant a new stadium......
Ron said the other day that we'll be in the new ground in 24 months fom now. In a year's time we'll be a fair way through building and the only way that Ron will make money on the deal is to build and sell the flats/hotel/retail park which he isn't allowed to build until the stadium is built.
There's no logical or rational foundation behind your allegations. I'll be interested to know at what point you'll be prepared to admit that you're talking crap.
Posted by: Chris, Chelmsford on 12:10pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Maher highest paid player, try again!
Think you will find that both Adam Barrett and Richie Foran get paid more than double what he did.
Also Zoltan Liptak got paid more than Darryl last year.
Maher highest paid player, try again!
Think you will find that both Adam Barrett and Richie Foran get paid more than double what he did.
Also Zoltan Liptak got paid more than Darryl last year.
Posted by: Badger, Southend on 12:13pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Agree with the comments about Falv's a brilliant shot stopper and i felt made the trip to White Heart Lane well worth the money with 120mins of football. Shame the goal was offside otherwise he could have been an even bigger hero in the penalty shoot out.
Also agree that a bigger stronger keeper may help to leak less goals from set pieces which truly annoyed me a great deal last season, although not all Daryl's fault i'm sure a bigger presence will help!
All in all though a great servant to us and always gave his all. Good luck Flav's, keep hating Col U!!!
Agree with the comments about Falv's a brilliant shot stopper and i felt made the trip to White Heart Lane well worth the money with 120mins of football. Shame the goal was offside otherwise he could have been an even bigger hero in the penalty shoot out.
Also agree that a bigger stronger keeper may help to leak less goals from set pieces which truly annoyed me a great deal last season, although not all Daryl's fault i'm sure a bigger presence will help!
All in all though a great servant to us and always gave his all. Good luck Flav's, keep hating Col U!!!
Posted by: Horace, Rayleigh on 12:27pm Fri 4 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Selwyn Ansah[/bold] wrote:
So "Wot no players, no goals, no stadium ! on Today" does your teacher know your not at school? Grow up, open your eyes and look at whats really happening. Last season we did not quite make it. Rebuilding the squad based on the plus points of last season is what ST,PB an RM are doing. Macca, Francis, Barrett, Barney, Walker are the new backbone. We have a new goalie who we ALL need to get behind. A new centre half to replace the one who won't sign his new improved contract. ST & RM will bring in new quality players. Trust them - don't panic! It only July not August. Perhaps someone can read this out for you if you having trouble with the big words. (just joking!) UP THE BLUES!!! Selwyn Ansah[/quote] Selwyn, you are spot on mate.
There is too much panic here. Players come and players go.
Tilly knew that certain players would not be staying and I am sure he has had a shortlist of new players for some time.
Good luck Gower and Flavs. Welcome to the new recruits.
The spine of the team is there. I hope we get mulgrew too.
Please relax guys - this it the time when deals are done. The season does not kick off this week.
Selwyn Ansah wrote:
So "Wot no players, no goals, no stadium ! on Today" does your teacher know your not at school? Grow up, open your eyes and look at whats really happening. Last season we did not quite make it. Rebuilding the squad based on the plus points of last season is what ST,PB an RM are doing. Macca, Francis, Barrett, Barney, Walker are the new backbone. We have a new goalie who we ALL need to get behind. A new centre half to replace the one who won't sign his new improved contract. ST & RM will bring in new quality players. Trust them - don't panic! It only July not August. Perhaps someone can read this out for you if you having trouble with the big words. (just joking!) UP THE BLUES!!! Selwyn Ansah
Selwyn, you are spot on mate.
There is too much panic here. Players come and players go.
Tilly knew that certain players would not be staying and I am sure he has had a shortlist of new players for some time.
Good luck Gower and Flavs. Welcome to the new recruits.
The spine of the team is there. I hope we get mulgrew too.
Please relax guys - this it the time when deals are done. The season does not kick off this week.
Posted by: Beefy, Eastwood on 1:28pm Fri 4 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Chris[/bold] wrote:
Maher highest paid player, try again! Think you will find that both Adam Barrett and Richie Foran get paid more than double what he did. Also Zoltan Liptak got paid more than Darryl last year.[/quote] Yeah I'll certainly grant you Foran, but he's on a stupid contract which looked like a mistake at the time and has gone downhill from there.
Chris wrote:
Maher highest paid player, try again! Think you will find that both Adam Barrett and Richie Foran get paid more than double what he did. Also Zoltan Liptak got paid more than Darryl last year.
Yeah I'll certainly grant you Foran, but he's on a stupid contract which looked like a mistake at the time and has gone downhill from there.
Posted by: peterm, London on 7:14pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Sad to see Daryll go; he's been a great player for us, and has got better and better over the years. 30 is no age for a keeper, so surely we could have offered him more than a one-year deal? Seems a bit shortsighted, and it will be difficult to replace him.
Sad to see Daryll go; he's been a great player for us, and has got better and better over the years. 30 is no age for a keeper, so surely we could have offered him more than a one-year deal? Seems a bit shortsighted, and it will be difficult to replace him.
Posted by: BlueBlood, USA on 9:34pm Fri 4 Jul 08
At this rate, the one way revolving door, RM, if he gets the Stadium built, is going to have the bestest Stadium in the Conference!
At this rate, the one way revolving door, RM, if he gets the Stadium built, is going to have the bestest Stadium in the Conference!
Posted by: Tricky, Southend on 12:35pm Sat 5 Jul 08
RM is losing money habd over fist. All property developers are. This is a fact. House prices are in freefall at the moment, so any figures that were calculated previously for the development of flats and houses are wildly innacurate. Property prices will continue to fall for the next year or so at least, so you have to question whether or not the new stadium will ever go ahead. Mr Martin will find it hard to get financial loans and backing secured on property in this climate, The credit crunch will get worse before it gets better. My guess is Bob the builder if he ever starts will be polish!!!
RM is losing money habd over fist. All property developers are. This is a fact. House prices are in freefall at the moment, so any figures that were calculated previously for the development of flats and houses are wildly innacurate. Property prices will continue to fall for the next year or so at least, so you have to question whether or not the new stadium will ever go ahead. Mr Martin will find it hard to get financial loans and backing secured on property in this climate, The credit crunch will get worse before it gets better. My guess is Bob the builder if he ever starts will be polish!!!
Posted by: Jim, Westcliff on 2:08pm Sat 5 Jul 08
Can we keep discussion about the club to places like the pub and shrimperzone perhaps?
One of the most constantly good player sin the team has gone and there's been so very few farewells and good lucks?
No wonder the best players are leaving, the Southend crowd seems very fickle.
Good luck Darryl, hope it works out well for you!
Can we keep discussion about the club to places like the pub and shrimperzone perhaps?
One of the most constantly good player sin the team has gone and there's been so very few farewells and good lucks?
No wonder the best players are leaving, the Southend crowd seems very fickle.
Good luck Darryl, hope it works out well for you!
Posted by: Shrimper-Boy, East Black on 3:06pm Sat 5 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Jim[/bold] wrote:
Can we keep discussion about the club to places like the pub and shrimperzone perhaps? One of the most constantly good player sin the team has gone and there's been so very few farewells and good lucks? No wonder the best players are leaving, the Southend crowd seems very fickle. Good luck Darryl, hope it works out well for you![/quote] No Jim you Nit-Wit, while asking us 'not to discuss the club' on here!!!, he's then goes ahead and discusses the club on here???
Go back to E Bay grand-Dad!!!
Jim wrote:
Can we keep discussion about the club to places like the pub and shrimperzone perhaps? One of the most constantly good player sin the team has gone and there's been so very few farewells and good lucks? No wonder the best players are leaving, the Southend crowd seems very fickle. Good luck Darryl, hope it works out well for you!
No Jim you Nit-Wit, while asking us 'not to discuss the club' on here!!!, he's then goes ahead and discusses the club on here???
Go back to E Bay grand-Dad!!!
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