WILL Atkinson is pleased to have had his efforts at Southend United recognised by the Shrimpers supporters.

Atkinson made 175 appearances during a four year stint at Roots Hall.

And the energetic midfielder - who started the 2015 League Two play-off final at Wembley - was thrilled to top an Echosport poll for the most underrated player in the club’s history.

“I always give my all and I’m grateful the fans saw that,” said Atkinson.

“I got appreciation from players and management staff which was always enough for me but it’s really nice to know the fans did appreciate me as well.”

Atkinson joined Blues in 2013 after leaving Bradford City. And he still looks back on his spell with the Shrimpers with great fondness.

“It’s the longest I’ve spent at a club in the first team and it’s a place I’ll always be thankful for,” said Atkinson, who is now with Port Vale.

“I made some really good friends there and really enjoyed it. I think I was there from 24 to 28 so it was a good chunk of my career and it went well.”

Atkinson was a big part of the Shrimpers side which was promoted from League Two in the 2014/15 season.

And he feels the disappointment suffered in the previous campaign played a key part in the success.

“In my first season we lost in the play-offs to Burton and that was a driving force for the year after,” said Atkinson.

“We went on a mad run at the end and lost on the final day to Morecambe.

“I remember a few of us went to the casino that night to watch some boxing and we didn’t even talk.

"We couldn’t stand just sitting at home because we were devastated.

"But we got up in the end and I think the way we did epitomised the character we had.

"That’s what got us over the line and that moment when we scored at Wembley was the biggest buzz of my career, even though I wasn’t even on the pitch!”

A last gasp equaliser from Joe Pigott led to Blues beating Wycombe Wanderers on penalties. However, two years later, Atkinson opted to move on.

“It was a hard decision to leave as I had enjoyed everything about it,” said Atkinson.

“But I felt like there became a bit of a divide in the group. What had always got us success was team work.

"I started to feel undervalued and a few other boys did too while a few others were getting special treatment. It came to a point where it’s a short career and I didn’t want to be treated like that.

"I made the decision to leave but I did see what Phil Brown said about how things could have been different if we had a chief executive and maybe it would have been.

"But I’ve accepted what happened now.”

And Atkinson still dreams of coming back to Blues.

“I really want to play at Roots Hall again, whether that’s against Southend or for Southend,” said Atkinson.

“I still come down to the Southend area to see Ryan Leonard as I’m godfather to his child but one day I’d love to play at Roots Hall again because it’s such a special little stadium.”