SAM Hart is keen to see Southend United and Oldham Athletic succeed in the National League in the near future.

But the left-back believes his two former clubs, who meet at Boundary Park on Tuesday night, should be nowhere near the fifth tier of English football.

Hart had two spells playing with the Shrimpers before lining up for the Latics last season.

And he feels both clubs have been let down by poor ownership.

“Southend and Oldham are two of the best places I’ve played,” said Hart, who is now with Sutton United.

“They’re two massive clubs who shouldn’t be in the National League and shouldn’t have had owners that they did as well.

“At Oldham luckily that’s changed now and I hope it does soon for Southend too because I wish them both nothing but success.

“The fans and the stadiums are unbelievable.

“But similar to Southend the ownership hindered it at Oldham and it was a difficult end to last year with everything going on.”

Oldham have started to rebuild under new ownership following the arrival of Frank Rothwell at the start of the season.

Southend fans are hoping for similar at Roots Hall with Ron Martin continuing to insist the club is up for sale.

And Hart will always wish nothing but the best for Blues.

“I honestly loved it and it was one of my favourite ever times playing football,” said the 26-year-old.

“My now fiancee and my dogs loved it there and I’m still best mates with Taylor Moore too.

“I’ve stayed in contact with a lot of people and that first spell finished on a real high.

“I loved the place and everything about it.

“I loved the the people and had a great affiliation with the fans as well.

“It was good and to finish how we did against Sunderland was magic.”

Hart made 18 appearances during the 2018/19 season for Blues who successfully avoided relegation from League One in their final outing of the campaign.

However, by the time Hart returned to Roots Hall for a second spell in the 2020/21 season, problems off the pitch were beginning to take their toll and the Shrimpers dropped out of the Football League.

“The second time was tough,” said Hart.

“I think I probably went with my heart over what I should have done.

“I still enjoyed it but things off the pitch really hindered things on it.

“It was tough to separate the two and it was difficult.

“The outcome wasn’t what I wanted or what the fans wanted either and it hurt me for a long time.”

But that has not dented Hart’s admiration for Blues.

“I still have love for the club and in the future I’d love to go back,” said Hart.

“My Mrs loves it, I love it and me and Tayls still go down there every now and then for a drive!

“I have a lot of love for the club so to see it doing well this year puts a smile to my face.

“I know things off the field are still getting in the way but hopefully that corner will turn soon and they can get on bigger and better things.

“I still WhatsApp fans I know and it’s nice to keep in contact.”

Nowadays however, Hart is lining up for Sutton United who sit 10th in the League Two standings.

And, after his eventful spells with both Blues and Oldham, Hart is enjoying being able to focus on just his football once again.

“I had a health concern at the start of the season which hindered me but I’m enjoying playing my football again,” said Hart.

“Unfortunately we’re probably going to miss out on the play-offs but it’s good being in a winning environment again.”

But Hart’s own campaign means he will be unable to track Blues’ match at Boundary Park.

“We’ve got Northampton tomorrow so I won’t be able to watch it but I’ll certainly be looking it up after our game and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top,” he added.

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