Strong start - for Southend United midfielder Leon Parillon
(Image: Graeme Wilcockson)
By Chris Phillips. Chief sports reporter.
SOUTHEND United midfielder Leon Parillon has revealed he never stopped training full-time in a bid to fulfil his footballing dreams.
Parillon has impressed for the Shrimpers since signing from Slough Town at the end of January.
And the 23-year-old has coped well with the increased workload having maintained a high level of fitness while playing part-time.
“When I dropped down into part-time football I knew, because my mission was to get back into full-time football, that I needed to behave like I was already there," said Parillon.
“I trained on the days I wasn’t training with my club and it kept that feeling within me that I could play full-time.
“It’s a mental thing and if I’m doing it before I’ve already achieved it then when I get there I know I’ll be ready.”
Parillon had previously played first team football for Oxford United before dropping down into the non-league.
But he never lost his determination to bounce back and is still targeting a return to the higher divisions.
“Getting that taste of first team football at League One was something that made me hungry,” said Parillon.
“Ideally I wanted to continue that pathway but for reasons I can and can’t control I’ve now gone down a route where I’m trying to get back into the league.
“I know I’m capable and I want to prove it to myself and others now.”
The early impressions have been promising where that is concerned for Parillon with the Shrimpers.
And he already feels at home with Blues.
“I’ve settled in really well,” said Parillon.
“The first day I came in was leading up to the Sittingbourne game which I was cup tied for unfortunately.
“But it gave me that week and the week after to gel and mix with the boys.
“They’re all top characters and there’s no big egos at all.
“They’re all down to earth and have been very welcoming which has helped me settle in.
“It’s been positive from the get go.”
Parillon made three appearances off the bench before being handed two starts in quick succession.
And he has been happy to work his way into the starting line-up.
“I’ve enjoyed starting, especially my full debut at home,” said Parillon.
“I hadn’t ever experienced playing in front of a crowd like that before and then to back it up with another good amount of minutes last Saturday was really good.
“I felt I’ve performed at a good level so I feel more than capable of performing at this level and there’s more to come as well which is a good feeling.”
Parillon is now keen to build on his strong start with the Shrimpers.
But, despite having coped well with the step up, the midfielder admitted there had been a noticeable difference in standard.
“It’s definitely a step up, mentally and physically,” said Parillon.
“You’ve got to be more switched on and people take that little bit more care with the smaller stuff.
“It’s been a fun challenge getting my body up to speed but I feel like I’ve adjusted quite quickly.
“I feel like I’m a quick learner and it’s been fun. Seeing my body react quickly to it has been enjoyable.”
And Parillon has also been encouraged by the determination of the group.
“You see the drive of the fans and being here a few weeks now you see everyone is committed to getting Southend where we feel we belong,” said Parillon.
“It’s definitely something I want to buy in to and I’m doing that every day.
“It’s a big reason why I wanted to come to the club.”
Blues currently sit ninth in the National League standings, five points below the play-off positions.
But Parillon is relishing his role in the chase having also shown his love for football by becoming a coach while with Slough.
“I took on a bit of one to one football coaching,” said Parillon.
“I was grateful to work with the younger generation and it was a positive thing but it was quite conflicting when I also had a lot more to learn and achieve in football.
“I did that for a year and a bit and I was doing that alongside football which I enjoyed but not as much as I enjoy playing every day.”
Parillon’s next chance to play will come at Yeovil Town this weekend.
And he believes Blues will head into the game in good shape.
“Yeovil have had a solid season so far so we know it will be about who wants it more really,” said Parillon.
“It’s a tough game but off the back off the last four performances, we’re in a confident place.
“We’ve done OK but we still feel like we can kick on more and I’m really looking forward to that challenge.”
