CARL Pettefer feels tomorrow’s clash between his two former sides should not be happening in League Two.

The hard-working midfielder came through the ranks at Portsmouth before going on to make 84 appearances in a two and a half year spell with the Shrimpers.

And the 33-year-old is adamant both the clubs should be playing at a higher level.

“Portsmouth and Southend definitely shouldn’t be in League Two because they’re big clubs,” said Pettefer, who spent eight seasons at Fratton Park.

“Southend should be in at least League One and you could argue Portsmouth should be even higher than that.

“They still get fantastic support but they’ve been mismanaged and that’s why they find themselves in League Two.

“They’re fighting to get back up the leagues and so of course are Southend so I’m sure both clubs will be looking to go up this season and that should make for a good game at the weekend.”

The last time Blues achieved promotion from League Two, in the 2004/05 season, Pettefer played a huge part.

The winger was the only member of the team to play every single game as Steve Tilson’s side went up through the play-offs.

And he holds happy memories of his spell with the Shrimpers.

“We stayed up in the first season and got promotion in the second which was great and playing every game was a proud moment for me,” said Pettefer.

“There were so great games that season and it was a great time to be at the club.”

But, despite their eventual success, Blues endured a slow start to the season and did not win any of their opening six matches.

They even sunk to the bottom of the table after losing 2-1 at Bristol Rovers before getting themselves back on track and the arrival of a certain Freddy Eastwood then catapulted the team in to promotion contenders.

“Freddy didn’t win games single handily but he did score goals out of nothing to get us victories,” said Pettefer.

“He was a big help and it was a really good season. I actually don’t even remember the bad start we had.”

However, after that season, Pettefer struggled to nail down a regular starting slot.

And he was disappointed to learn of his departure from the club on the television.

“I had told the club and the manager that I wanted to stay, then I was watching Sky Sports News one day and it came up saying I had been released,” said Pettefer.

“I had no idea and perhaps there was a breakdown in communication but it was pretty poor.

“It was a disappointing way for my time at Southend to come to an end but other than it was fantastic.”

After that, Pettefer went on to play for Oxford United and Bournemouth and is now lining up in the Southern League Premier Division with Poole Town.

He also combines his playing career with working as a teacher at a private school in Wimbourne.

“Poole play literally five minutes from where I live and I’m enjoying still playing,” said Pettefer.

“The school I work at is close by too and I teach Maths and PE which I like doing.

“After I stopped playing football I got a degree in sport coaching and PE.

“I got a first as well which was pleasing and I’m keeping busy.

“But I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for Saturday’s game and I think Southend might just win it, 2-1.”