Southend United's latest captures, Gordon Connelly and Neil Tolson, cannot wait to get their new Roots Hall careers underway.

Both players completed the formalities of their moves south from York City today, signing two-year contracts, and admitted they were looking forward to serving Shrimpers boss Alan Little, their former manager at Bootham Crescent, again.

Striker Tolson, who joined Blues on a free transfer, admitted Little's position in the Roots Hall hot seat was the main reason he moved to Southend.

"I've never been to Southend in my life and I've never played here, but as soon as I got the call from the gaffer I didn't hesitate on taking up his offer," said the 25-year-old hitman.

"When Alan was at York he was a great manager to work with and I'm grateful to have been given the chance to play for him again."

Little took Tolson to York after paying Bradford City £85,000 for the big forward's services three-years ago, but the Brummie marksman has struggled for the last couple of seasons.

"I've had injury problems which have restricted the amount of games I've played during the last few years," added Tolson, who scored twice against Premier League side Everton in the league cup three years ago.

"I was having constant trouble with my hamstring and hernia, but I'm all over that now and looking forward to recapturing the form which saw me hit 17 goals in my First Second Division campaign with York."

Connelly, a former Glasgow Rangers schoolboy, is another big member of the Alan Little fan club.

The attacking right winger, who moved to York last season for £75,000 from Airdrie, has played three seasons in Scotland's First Division and one year in the Premier League north of the border.

He is also relishing his Roots Hall task after joining the Seasiders for an unspecified five-figure fee.

"I was gutted when Alan got the sack at York and I was well pleased to get the chance to play for him at Southend," said the 22-year-old.

"When the boss lost his job at York we had just gone through a bad run of form - taking just three points from a possible 30.

"But we had seven first-team players out injured at the same time, which any club at this level would struggle from, and I think he was unfairly treated."

Connelly, though, is confident that Little can prove the York hierarchy wrong by winning Southend promotion to the Second Division this season.

"After looking around Roots Hall and hearing about the great support we attract I'm sure we can do well this year," added Connelly, who almost joined Scottish Premier outfit St Johnstone last week.

"This club has got massive potential.

"Hopefully I'll be able to get past defenders and get in the crosses for our strikers to score goals and win us games."

Welcome - Southend United chairman John Main with new signings Neil Tolson (left) and Gordon Connelly

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.