Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting ECHONEWS to 80360, or email us Click here for details »
6:00am Friday 4th July 2008
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."
Nigel, says...
9:05am Fri 4 Jul 08
Bishmania, says...
10:32am Fri 4 Jul 08
Shrimper-Boy 2, says...
10:46am Fri 4 Jul 08
southend til i die, chelmsford says...
10:53am Fri 4 Jul 08
Wot no players, no goals, no stadium !, says...
11:12am Fri 4 Jul 08
southend til i die wrote:Are SUFC supporters finally waking to the ruse that RM has pulled.
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.
Beefy, Eastwood says...
11:32am Fri 4 Jul 08
Selwyn Ansah, Southend says...
11:36am Fri 4 Jul 08
Shrimper-Boy, East Black says...
12:07pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Beefy, Eastwood says...
12:08pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Wot no players, no goals, no stadium ! wrote: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.
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......
Chris, Chelmsford says...
12:10pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Badger, Southend says...
12:13pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Horace, Rayleigh says...
12:27pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Selwyn Ansah wrote:Selwyn, you are spot on mate.
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
Beefy, Eastwood says...
1:28pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Chris wrote: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.
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.
peterm, London says...
7:14pm Fri 4 Jul 08
BlueBlood, USA says...
9:34pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Tricky, Southend says...
12:35pm Sat 5 Jul 08
Jim, Westcliff says...
2:08pm Sat 5 Jul 08
Shrimper-Boy, East Black says...
3:06pm Sat 5 Jul 08
Jim wrote: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???
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!
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Search for hundreds of jobs in Essex and beyond
Search Now »
Bring love into your life! Find a date in Essex
Search Now »
Homes for sale, and to let, in Essex
Search Now »
New and used cars in Essex and across the UK
Search Now »
Shrimper-Boy, East Black says...
8:57am Fri 4 Jul 08
Seeing the disappointment on Ronaldos 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????