SOUTHEND AC’s senior men finished their season in sixth place in division three of the British Athletics League at Yeovil.

Despite being safely ensconced in mid-table going into the fixture, the Seasiders team still fought hard for points.

This was demonstrated no more than from team captain and international athlete Adam Hickey who, stepping in to fill a slot in the 3,000m steeplechase at the last minute, broke a 21-year-old club record.

Hickey ran 9m 16s for the chase beating the previous best of 9m 28s set by Mike Mansfield in 1994.

He then went on to win the flat 3,000m soon after, did the B-string discus for the team and anchored the 4x400m relay.

These feats earned Hickey the team’s vote for athlete of the day.

Other notable performances came from James Hamblin winning the A-string hammer with 53.53m, In the 800m, Tom Gifford lowered his personal best (PB) to 1m 52.96s while, in the B-string, Joe Ray was close to breaking two minutes in the 800m.

Fred Hendry equalled his PB with 1.95m in the high jump, and bettered his PBs while standing in to cover the pole vault and high hurdles.

Greg Goodrem was also his usual busy self covering both hurdles, the pole vault, javelin, high jump, and both relays.

Team Manager Keith Palmer said: “Having gained six promotions in 12 years, we have had a couple of readjustment years with two relegations in a row, so I’m very glad to have now steadied the ship and we are consolidating and building the team for when we’re ready to fight for promotion again.

“The spirit and camaraderie in the whole team on Saturday and all season was excellent, and we are blessed to have Adam Hickey as captain who led by example.”

The team’s athletes of the year were: track – Adam Hickey, field – James Hamblin - Field, multi-event – Greg Goodrem, overall – James Hamblin.