SOUTHEND United legend Adam Barrett picks his favourite 10 games, in no particular order, with the Shrimpers. 

 

BRISTOL CITY (H) 6 MAY 2006

"This was the game which won us the League and to do it at a packed Roots Hall made it even better.

"It was Shaun Goater’s last game, the ground was packed and the atmosphere was unbelievable. It was a great game to be part of and was a very special day."

WYCOMBE (N) 23 MAY 2015

"We’d been to Cardiff three times which was great but I was starting to think the chance to play at Wembley had passed me by. I was gutted to not play at the old Wembley but I finally got there at the age of 35 and I made sure I soaked up everything.

"In the past I think I probably went from one game then the next but this was a day when I took everything in. It was such a dramatic game too and I still get goosebumps just thinking about it.

"Our end of Wembley erupted when we scored, it was pure delight. We won on penalties and I was happy to score mine. It was a fantastic occasion."

LINCOLN (N) 28 MAY 2005

"Lincoln was also a play-off final and it was another great day. We had been flying until the LDV Vans Trophy which we lost and then missed out on automatic promotion on the final day.

"It was tough to take and we really had to dig deep after that. We played Northampton in the semi-final of the play-offs and they were the form team at the time. We managed to beat them and then faced Lincoln who were a strong, physical side.

"It was a tight game but we won it after extra time and I think that win put us on the map. It was a real catalyst for us too."

CHELSEA (A) 3 JANUARY 2009

"To draw at Stamford Bridge, in the manner we did, was so good.

"My centre-back partner, Peter Clarke, popped up to score right at the end and we had 6,000 fans there behind the goal who went mad.

"Chelsea had a very strong side out that day and we had to defend a lot.

"But to draw there like we did was a huge achievement."

CHELSEA (H) 14 JANUARY 2009

"This one might be more of a selfish choice from me but I’m going to put the replay in my top 10 too.

"I put us in front with a header and we really did have them on the ropes.

"But Michael Ballack equalised for them just before half-time and I still really believe that if we had gone in 1-0 there would have been another famous cup upset that night.

"I remember us coming in at half-time disappointed to be drawing 1-1 with Chelsea which seems crazy really but it showed how much we were in the game.

"Unfortunately, it didn’t go our way in the end but it was another night when the atmosphere was fantastic."

SWANSEA (A) 29 APRIL 2006

"This game secured us promotion into the Championship and it was just a huge relief to get over the line after chasing it for so long.

"The game was in Swansea’s new stadium which was sold out and once again the atmosphere was brilliant.

"We had 3,000 fans there and I remember it was the first time I’d ever been applauded by Swansea fans.

"Normally you would get stick going there but they were great and we also got a round of applause when we went into the players bar afterwards.

"It was a really nice feeling and a special day."

MACCLESFIELD (H) 30 AUGUST 2004

"It was my full home debut and growing up supporting the club it was a special moment.

"It was special for my family too and it meant a lot to us all.

"I managed to get both goals in a 2-1 win which made it extra special and it was our first victory of the season after a slow start."

SUNDERLAND (H) 19 AUGUST 2006

"This was in the Championship and we were up against some big players with big reputations.

"But, on the day, we played really well and I scored twice to help us win 3-1.

"It was a hot day but the ground was packed and it was another memorable occasion."

COLCHESTER (H) 6 FEBRUARY 2016

"I loved the games with Colchester and always looked forward to them.

"I had some great moments against Colchester over the years but I also made a mistake there once which they didn’t want me to forget about!

"I always got a lot of stick from their fans but I loved the atmosphere and how feisty it was.

"We beat them at their place on Boxing Day and then followed it up with a 3-0 win at home.

"It was the last time I ever played Colchester and I scored from a Jack Payne corner so I loved it!

WREXHAM (N) 10 APRIL 2005

"We went on a great run to reach the LDV Vans Trophy final and beat my old club Bristol Rovers in the semi-final.

"Unfortunately the result didn’t go our way but we had 20,000 fans there and it was an unbelievable sight.

"I felt as though I played well and it was a great day, other than the score!

"But I think we learnt a lot that day. The next time we went back to Cardiff was for the play-off final and we prepared in a completely different way.

"I think in the long term this game helped us, even though it hurt us to lose."