JACK Bridge is finally fulfilling a childhood dream at Southend United – even though he had to leave to help make it happen.

Bridge grew up supporting the Shrimpers and turned down interest from Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, to sign scholarship forms at Roots Hall.

But the midfielder initially found first team opportunities hard to come by and moved on to secure more matches before eventually coming back to Blues at the start of last season.

And Bridge is still relishing his return.

“I love it and I love playing at Roots Hall,” said Bridge.

“I have family and friends who go to the games and it’s class.

“When I did leave the football club I probably didn’t really think I would play for Southend again.

“ It was needed at the time because I had to go and play games.

“I wasn’t doing that at Southend at the time so I had to go and do that.

“But I’m so happy to be back now.”

After leaving in 2018, Bridge spent time with Northampton Town, Carlisle United and Bromley.

But he had the chance to move far earlier in his career.

“At under 15 and under 16s there were quite a few clubs I could’ve left for before I signed my scholarship with Southend,” recalled Bridge.

“I had a sit down with my family and people I was close to at the club at the time and just felt it would be best to stay at Southend.

“I wanted to break into the first team at a young age but that didn’t really happen.

“I was always in and around it but never got on the pitch loads.

“It got to the point I had to make a decision for my career.

“I went and got games but I still look back and think it was the right thing to do.

“Maybe I didn’t really want to do it but I’m happy to be back and show what I can do.”

Bridge has certainly done that in recent weeks, with four assists in his last five games.

Two of those came in Saturday’s 3-0 win against Scunthorpe United.

And Bridge was pleased with the manner of the Shrimpers’ victory.

“Saturday was a really enjoyable game,” said Bridge.

“The fans would have enjoyed it and it was enjoyable to play in too. “The way we’ve been in the last couple of years there have been games where we should’ve been winning 2-0 or 3-0 so it’s nice to have done it and not be hanging on at the end.

“I do feel that kind of result has been coming and it was nice to finally get it.”

And Bridge was also happy with his own role in the success.

“I’m really happy with the assists but would maybe like to add a few goals to my game as well,” said Bridge.

“But I’m pleased to be chipping in with assists because that’s a big part of my game.”

Bridge set up both Wes Fonguck and Jake Hyde to score in Saturday’s win.

And he now wants another dominant display at Maidstone on Tuesday night.

“We want more of the same tomorrow and to play a similar style of football,” said Bridge.

“We want to go at the game, attack it and hopefully get the same result.”

Another victory would be likely to take ninth placed Blues nearer the play-off positions.

And Bridge is setting his sights high for the remainder of the season.

“We set our goals at the start of the season, before pre-season even begun,” said the former Eastwood School pupil.

“We had a chat and we were all on the same page because we all want promotion.

“I definitely feel like we’re going in the right direction too.

“We take each game as it comes and won’t get ahead of ourselves. “We won 3-0 on Saturday but we won’t let that get to us.

“We will go on to the next game and see where it takes us.”

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>Blues midfielder Fonguck determined to build on his goalscoring return