Former New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC fullback Richard Eckersley to trial with Southend United

Recently promoted League One club Southend United is looking for reinforcements for the 2015-2016 season. And according to The Echo (... echo... echo) former Toronto FC and New York Red Bulls waste of cap space fullback Richard Eckersley is being brought in for a trial.

"Richard has been recommended to us," confirmed Blues boss Phil Brown."There’s a strong chance he will be coming to Spain with us for pre-season training and that will allow us to have a look at him and get to know him."

Okay, fine, he might be going on trial with Southend. Right now his options are either this trial or the assistant manager position at the second best Denny's in Orlando.

Southend United fans -- nicknamed "The Shrimpers" -- are genuinely excited to see him come in for a look.

You can feel the enthusiasm emanating from your computer screen.

Also, they have some thoughts on American team names.

Sorry, where were we? Oh, right, Richard Eckersley. The fullback from the Manchester United Academy bounced around the lower leagues of England before crossing the Atlantic to play in MLS. He made 72 regular season appearances in three seasons with Toronto. In 2014, the New York Red Bulls sent their 2017 SuperDraft fourth round pick north of the border in order to acquire him. He made nine regular season appearances before being released in December. Eckersley has been unattached since his release. He trained with Elche in April and was not picked up by the Spanish club.

Anyway, best of luck to Eckersley and the Shrimpers.