ANTHONY Straker wants Southend United to go the distance this season.

And that is something the former Shrimpers winger is now used to doing himself.

Since hanging up his boots Straker has taken to driving heavy goods vehicles.

And it is a role he relishes.

“I’m on the road now,” said the 34-year-old.

“I’ve got my HGV licenses which the PFA helped us get.

“They keep us on track after football and I’m on the lorries and all sorts now.

“I really enjoy it too.

“I always liked my vehicles and cars when I was at Southend.

“Apart from playing football, what else do you do?

“You travel round the country on the road in a car or a coach so geographically you know where you’re going because you visit so many places.

“It’s been good and it’s something I like doing.”

Straker spent five years at Aldershot Town before joining Blues in the summer of 2012.

And he has happy memories from his time at Roots Hall where he had both Paul Sturrock and Phil Brown as managers.

“It was enjoyable,” said Straker.

“It started a bit slow but it got going and the highlight was the play-off semi-final.

“I enjoyed it with both managers I played and especially having Cocko (Graham Coughlan) as a number two.

“We made it Wembley too and that will always be something I look back on with pride so it was good.”

Straker scored six goals in 82 appearances with the Shrimpers.

But in 2014 he opted to end his spell at Southend and joined York City.

“At the end of the day, I’d just have my little boy and my family came first for me,” said Straker.

“Going to York was more stable for me.

“I was hoping to go there and do just as well as Southend as they were in the opposite play-off semi-final to us that year.

“I did it more for my family but you can turn round and say you wish you stayed because the year later the boys went and got themselves promoted at Southend.”

In stark contrast, things do not go to plan for Straker at York.

“York was rocky for me,” said Straker.

“I signed under Nigel Worthington and I enjoyed having him as a manager.

“He was a good guy to work under but it just fizzled out which led to me going out on loan to Scotland.

“Adapting to southern life to northern life just didn’t work for me.”

This weekend Southend sees heading to York for a match between two of Straker’s former sides.

And he is sad to see them both playing in the fifth tier of English football.

“I still look out for Southend’s results and it’s a shame them and York are both in the National League now,” said Straker.

“Once upon a time they were both in the League Two play-offs competing together and I hope they can get back to where they need to be.

“I wish them both well and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on the game this weekend.”

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