SOUTHEND United skipper Anton Ferdinand is relishing his first ‘proper’ pre-season in the past three years.

The experienced defender did not join the Shrimpers until August last term.

And he is enjoying the benefits of being with Blues far earlier this time around.

“This is the first proper pre-season I’ve had in three years and it’s been good,” said Ferdinand.

“When you’re older you realise how important this time of year is.

“In the past, I would breeze through pre-season and if I missed some of it it wouldn’t really bother me.

“But now I realise how important it is.

“I played 36 games last season without a proper pre-season but this year I’ve had a proper footballing pre-season minus a week or so due to things happening outside of football.”

Ferdinand has featured heavily in the Shrimpers’ pre-season campaign.

And he believes Phil Brown’s side will benefit hugely from Tuesday night’s 3-0 defeat to Premier League newcomers Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday night.

“Pre-season is about finding what we need to work on and the Brighton game is something we needed,” said Ferdinand.

“With less than two weeks to go until the start of the season it will serve us well for when the League season gets underway.”

Blues host Blackburn Rovers on the opening day of the campaign, which Ferdinand hopes will end in success.

But he is reluctant to make any bold predictions.

“We won’t be thinking too far ahead,” said Ferdinand.

“We were gutted to miss out last season and we’re all taking that hurt and hunger into this year.”