Source: FOOTYMAD
Simon Francis speaks out on leaving Southend United for Charlton Athletic
Blues player-of-the-year Simon Francis is now an Addick, and he's quite pleased it got sorted out as he was feeling lonely on the training pitch, poor thing. Simon Francis: We weren't going to show you this photo agaain, we liedSo he's joined Macca down at the Valley, and he's not to far from ex-Captain Adam at the Palace, South London is the place to be for well-paid ex-Shrimpers, and Simon is a relieved guy it's all been sorted out.He didn't quite make the Championship, but obviously believes Charlton is a better bet for League One promotion than poor old Brentford, who he refused to join!Francis told: "I want to play as high as I can and feel I'm capable of playing in the Championship. Charlton are a club who will be pushing to get there next season and there is a Premier League set up here so I'm delighted to have signed." And he's already made his debut for the Addicks in their 2-2 draw at Concord Rangers on Tuesday evening which was his first match action for a while as he's been training alone in Southend. Francis continued: "I was coming in during the afternoons to train with the fitness coach Laurence Bloom when everyone else had gone home. We did a lot of running but in truth it has been the worst pre-season I've ever had. All the other lads have played four or five games and I've only played one. I understand why the manager didn't want me to play in the friendlies for Southend because I didn't feature in his plans for this season. But I wasn't allowed to train with them either and at times it felt as if the club were punishing me for wanting to play at a higher level." Poor lamb!Once again, good luck Simon, which you'll need playing for Parkinson.The Francis FilesPersonal informationFull nameSimon Charles FrancisDate of birth16 February 1985 (1985-02-16) (age 25)Place of birthNottingham, EnglandHeight1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)Playing positionDefenderClub informationCurrent clubCharlton AthleticNumberTBCSenior career*YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†2002-2004Bradford City55(1)2004-2006Sheffield United12(0)2005→ Grimsby Town (loan)5(0)2005-2006→ Tranmere Rovers (loan)17(1)2006-2010Southend United157(4)* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:55, 11 May 2010 (UTC).† Appearances (Goals).(Player information supplied by Wikipedia, for the full article go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Francis_(footballer)
