Vontae Daley‑Campbell, 25, has arrived at Southend United this summer after a career that has seen him feature in 61 senior matches across England. The right‑back, who has represented England at youth level, is keen to make the most of his opportunity to play regularly for the Shrimpers.
"It’s my first time actually being properly involved with a team and I’m enjoying so much," Daley‑Campbell said. "I feel like I’m at the age where I need to be playing games. I’ve had the chance and it just didn’t quite work out. That’s football for you but I’m determined to not let that happen again."
Daley‑Campbell’s previous spells at Leicester City, Dundee, Cardiff City, Peterborough and Chesterfield never yielded a consistent starting role. While at Chesterfield he first met Southend’s manager Kieron Dyer, who is now in charge of the club.
"I could see it," Daley‑Campbell added. "He had good ideas and he would say to me in the changing room, ‘my teams would do this or do that’ and stuff like that. He always had an idea and to see it come to fruition now, hats off to him."
The defender also spoke about Dyer’s demanding style. "He pushes you. After games if I haven’t played well he’ll tell me straight away and if I have played well he’ll also tell me straight away. He’s that type of gaffer. He’s going to be honest with you and that’s all you can ask for."
Southend have started the season strongly, winning their opening two matches. Daley‑Campbell praised the team’s cohesion. "You can see on the pitch we’re all really close already and who knows where we’re going to be come the end of the season but I think it’s going to be a good one. I think we can go the whole way, I really do. It’s only early days but from the first two games how we’ve gelled so quickly we’re only going to build on that. Imagine us in December or January. I’m excited to see where this leaves us."
The Shrimpers look to win a third straight when they face Solihull Moors this weekend. Daley‑Campbell warned the visitors will not take victory for granted. "They’re hard workers. They’re going to run. They haven’t had the best start to the season but they’re an honest team and they’re going to do their best to right their wrongs."
Outside football, Daley‑Campbell is preparing for the team’s initiation song. "There’s so many of us that if we had all done it last time we’d have been there until about 12 o’clock at night. Half of us did it but the other half will do it this week I think. I haven’t done mine yet. I’m thinking about something but the gaffer has said I can’t do the same song he heard me do at Chesterfield so I have to go back to the drawing board now."
