Hall wants happier Morecambe memories (From Echo)

Southend United's Ryan Hall wants happier Morecambe memories

11:49am Friday 24th February 2012 in Sport By Chris Phillips

RYAN Hall wants to keep Southend United out of trouble at Morecambe tomorrow.

The winger faced the Shrimps at the Globe Arena almost exactly a year ago just hours after coming out of prison but was unable to stop Blues suffering a 2-1 defeat.

However, with no off field problems affecting him this time around, Hall is hoping for a more memorable match against Morecambe.

And he is also desperate to be handed a recall as third placed Southend bid to bounce back from Tuesday's disappointing reverse at Aldershot.

“We need to get back to winning ways and of course I want to play,” said Hall who has been on the bench for Blues' last three matches.

“The manager has said he may be making changes so hopefully I'll get a chance and whatever happens it won't be as eventful as the game at Morecambe last year.

“People have often asked me what it was like and it was a difficult time.

“But when I went out on the pitch all I honestly thought about was the game and I forgot about everything else that was happening in my life for those 90 minutes.”

Hall was originally sentenced to 20 weeks in prison last March after pleading guilty to affray following an incident on the club's Christmas party.

However, the 24-year-old was granted bail pending an appeal – which enabled him to play against Morecambe – before his sentence was reduced to 12 weeks, suspended for a year with 150 hours of community service.

And Hall now feels he has matured since that incident.

“I've grown up since then and will never get caught up with anything like that again,” said Hall.

“I'm more focused and I want to help Southend get promotion.

“Being left out of the team has made me hungrier to do well when I get my next chance.

“Hopefully it can come tomorrow and I can get a couple of goals but Morecambe are a tough team and it's going to be difficult for us.”