There are many perks to being a footballer but one of the drawbacks is the inability to go on holiday at the drop of a hat.

With the Football League season running from August until May players are forced to cram their RnR time into two short months of the summer.

With training running from Monday to Friday and matches at the weekend only those players at the top of English football are occasionally afforded time away from the pitch.

It's definitely one of the worst points of being a professional footballer, but according to Blues defender Garry Richards it is a small price to pay.

"This is the best job in the world so if not being able to take time off whenever you want is the worst thing, then I think we get off lightly," he said.

"In the summer I try and get away for most of the break by taking a couple of trips away.

"Last year I went away with the other half to Cyprus for a few weeks and I also went on a four day golf trip with some friends.

"I try to get to two or three different places just to make the most of our time off."

Richards, who prefers the white sands of the Greek Islands to that of an action packed sight seeing trip, also looks forward to Christmas time.

With the schedule jam packed with fixtures over the two week festive period there's no turkey and trimmings for the Southend players.

But there is normally an opportunity for the side to let their hair down.

"Christmas is always such a busy time for everyone," said Richards.

"At Colchester we always went away for a bit of team bonding, normally for a weekend.

"I'm told the lads do the same here and we're discussing possible locations at the moment."

Richards was speaking at Thomas Cook in Southend High Street where, along with team-mate Gary Hooper, the towering centre-back launched the Blues Holiday Club earlier this month.

Southend have joined forced with Thomas Cook to bring supporters their exclusive Blues Travel club.

Fans can make superb savings on their holidays simply by booking through their local branch and telling them that they are a Blues supporter.

There are thousands of Holiday options available and best of all is that you can save some pounds for a few more Sangrias by the pool.

To take advantage of the Blues Travel club simply pop into your local branch today and get the price of your next away day slashed.

Branches in Southend, Billericay, Chelmsford, Maldon and Basildon have all signed up for the promotion so don't delay book today!