Jamie Devitt: I don't know whether my future lies at Morecambe or elsewhere

The midfielder, who picked up top honours at the club’s Player of the Year Awards on Saturday night, is one of a number of players whose futures are still up in the air.

Devitt’s fine season had in many people’s minds spelled the end of his two-and-a-half years with The Shrimps but the Irishman insists there is still a chance he could be at the Globe Arena next season.

He said: “I still don’t know whether my future lies here or away.

“I’ve been honest with the manager all the way through.

“We’ve had chats where sometimes it looks like I might leave and sometimes it looks like I won’t.

“The gaffer’s made the decision that sometimes I don’t play because maybe he thinks I’m not going to be here when people that are going to be here should be playing.

“I’ve loved being here because I feel like I’m a main player which I’ve not had for most of my career.

“The gaffer’s (Jim Bentley) shown loads of trust in me and I can’t thank him and Kenny (McKenna) enough if I’m here next season or not.”

By his own admission, the 25-year-old was once considered a problem child at Hull but now believes he has matured.

It was a point he wanted to make to his former Tigers boss Phil Brown who came up against The Shrimps as Southend manager last season.

Devitt said: “Last game of the season last year he left the scout reports in the dressing room and everyone got to see them.

“To be fair he did praise the way I play but he said I’m not a nice lad.

“It did hurt because I’m not the lad I was when I was at Hull.

“I used to drink too much. I lived on my own in an apartment when I was 18 and I was out most nights because I was bored.

“I took for granted everything I had and thought I was going to be on those wages for the rest of my life.

“Things don’t work like that and I think it was only when I went to Chesterfield and couldn’t pay my bills that I got an insight.

“You need to take a step back and realise that a footballer’s life is short.

“If anyone who saw me back then would see me now no-one would believe it’s the same person.

“I have an amazing family now and no matter what I do it’s for them.”

Devitt capped off a fine season with a stunning equaliser in the 1-1 draw against York on Saturday, his shot from 25 yards going in off the underside of the crossbar.

He said: “I think I surprised the lads a bit.

“Sometimes it’s almost like I’d rather pass than shoot.

“I was off balance a little bit and I just thought, why not?

“Luckily it went in and it’s probably the best one I’ve scored to be honest.

“I had one as well just after that went just over the bar.”

It all meant the playmaker picked up the Players’ Player of the Year, Supporters’ Player of the Year and The Visitor Player of the Year later that night.

Devitt said: “It’s a proud night.

“I’m overwhelmed with the awards I’ve got, I wasn’t expecting them.

“It’s been brilliant and I’d like to thank all the supporters for their support and the players.”