On loan Southend United striker Jake Hyde grateful for part Woking played in his career

Hyde scored 27 goals in 60 league appearances for Woking between 2018 and 2020.

But, prior to joining, the 32-year-old had fallen out of love with football and contemplated taking it less seriously.

“It will be good to go back and I’ve got really fond memories from my time there,” said Hyde.

“I went there in a difficult point in my career and I had fallen out of love a bit with football.

“I’d had a long period out and I was half sick of football.

“I never thought of stopping but maybe about not taking it so seriously.

“I had been at a pro club since I was eight and it had stopped being fun.

“After a long period out you can question how much you care and love it.

“I’d had enough and just wanted to enjoy football again.”

However, Hyde’s spell with Woking completely transformed the way he was feeling.

“Going to Woking made me love it again,” said Hyde.

“We had a brilliant two years and I had a great time.

“We achieved a lot of good things, including a fantastic FA Cup run.

“We beat Swindon away, which is where I started my career, and I scored the only goal.

“We played Watford on TV in the third round and won promotion as well.

“It got my love back for the game and I’ve loved it ever since too so I’ve cracked on.”

After leaving Woking, Hyde spent time with Halifax Town and Wrexham before joining Blues on loan just before the start of the season.

But Hyde still feels he is working his way back to his best after suffering a hamstring injury on his debut.

“I’ve been in my pre-season period really and I still feel like I’ve got more to offer,” said Hyde.

“I’m feeling sharper every day and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve.”

Hyde has now helped Blues go five games without defeat.

But he knows Woking will be tough to beat in Saturday’s FA Cup clash.

“Woking has always been a difficult place to go and more so now with the side they are, along with the size and experience they have,” said Hyde.

“We got a taste of it at Roots Hall the other night and it was a proper football match.

“It was a battle across the park and there wasn’t too much in it.

“I very much expect more of the same on Saturday.

“I know Woking will want to get as far as they can in the FA Cup and it will be a proper test for us.”

The Shrimpers head to the Kingfield Stadium for a fourth round qualifying clash.

And Hyde remains a big fan of the competition.

“There’s still that magic, especially for sides lower down the spectrum,” said Hyde.

“The first stages people take a bit lightly but once you’re through to the first round onwards it’s fantastic.

“We want to be successful in the FA Cup but Saturday is a very tough start.

“We’ll go with the right mentality and attitude to try and get the job done.”

And Hyde is certain the togetherness of the Shrimpers squad will also start to shine through.

“We’ve got such a good group,” said Hyde.

“The staff are brilliant and everyone is in together.

“People stay for hours after training playing pool and different things.

“It’s one of the best squads I’ve seen and there are no bad eggs.

“You could have all the best players in the league but if they’re not knitted together and they don’t get on you’ll never be successful.

“I’ve been part of teams who have got an unbelievable squad but it wasn’t a fantastic dressing room and it wasn’t successful.

“I’ve also been in teams who weren’t that fantastic but achieved things due to the fact we were in it together.

“Our squad here is growing all the time and I believe if we keep pulling in the right direction we can definitely achieve something this season.”

Off the field, the Blues squad are currently bonding by staging a pool tournament at Boots & Laces.

And Hyde has been in fine form where that is concerned!

“I’m undefeated but we’re into the group stages now and it’s good,” said Hyde.

“Things like that are brilliant for morale and I think everyone fancies themselves a little bit at pool.

“There are little fines if you get seven balled and you have to roll a dice to find out which one you get.”

But right now there is a clear favourite for the title.

“I hate to say it but the gaffer is top dog at pool in the club,” said Hyde.

“He’s ranked number one and it’s probably why he lets us play it so much!

“At the last club the training ground isn’t ready yet.

“We changed at the club and then you’re travelling over somewhere else.

“You just never really got that changing room vibe.

“We’re lucky we have the pool table here.

“We all sit down for lunch together and it’s more important than people realise to have that.

“When you’re all in it together and you do things socially you go to war together on a Saturday.

“We’re a great side and the longer we are together the better we will get which is promising for the future. “

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