Southend United midfielder Scott Forbes has spoken for the First time about his impressive transition into League football with the Shrimpers.

The 23-year-old made an exciting League debut as a substitute in his first match for Blues against Brighton at Roots Hall on Saturday.

And Forbes, who had previously played non-league for Bishops Stortford, Braintree and Saffron Walden Town, revealed that he hopes to continue making his mark with the Seasiders.

"I'm just glad to have been given a crack at League football and I intend to make the most of it," said the attack-minded schemer, who recently joined Blues on a free transfer.

"It was great to make my debut in front of such a big crowd at Roots Hall at the weekend, but more importantly I want to continue establishing myself as a first-team player.

"Southend have given me a one-year contract and my initial aim is to win a regular place in the starting line-up, which hopefully will lead to a longer term deal at Roots Hall."

Forbes was on the books of Blues' Essex rivals Colchester United as a schoolboy, but was released without the merest sniff of a professional deal at Layer Road.

He drifted into the non-league game and despite performing well in a reserve team run-out for First Division Queens Park Rangers last term, spent most of the season playing for Essex Senior League outfit Saffron Walden Town, who play six leagues below the Football League.

However, Forbes, who originally hails from Canewdon, said that his involvement in training youngsters was the surprise key to his move to Roots Hall.

"I had decided to go to America to play and coach when Andy Melvin, who is involved with the youth team at Southend, asked me to give it a go with Blues," he said.

"I knew Andy from soccer courses I was running with youngsters and I went down to Roots Hall and played in a few reserve games and trained with the team.

"Alan Little invited me back this summer and everything went well during pre-season. I was offered a chance which I never thought I'd get again, although I've always had confidence in my ability to succeed at this level."

However, Forbes thought his dream move was set to fall through a couple of weeks ago. "Everything was sorted out until the financial troubles at the club put a freeze on things," added Forbes, who was also being tracked by Conference outfit Stevenage Borough.

"I had to fiddle with my thumbs for two weeks and I must admit that I was worried that I might get injured, which would have scuppered my chances of getting a move somewhere else, but everything worked out alright."

Forbes also revealed that Blues fans could find out more about his talents at the Spread Eagle pub, just around the corner from Roots Hall.

"I'm a bit of a musician on the quiet and I like to go there and play my guitar on stage, but nothing too difficult, just a few easy chords," he added.

Down but not out - Scott Forbes (sliding in) will be out to secure a starting place in Southend United's midfield this season

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

By Bernie Friend

Reporter's e-mail: bernie.friend@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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