JOHN White feels Southend United’s team spirit has helped the club come through the toughest spell of his career.

The Shrimpers ended a 16 match winless streak with a 2-1 victory at Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

And the experienced White was quick to hail the togetherness of the team.

“This has been the toughest period I’ve ever had as a player and it’s been really difficult right from the start of the season,” said White.

“It’s been a hard run for us and I’ll be honest about it, I have no idea how the spirit of the side has stayed so strong.

“But it just goes to show how close we are as a group and the togetherness of the team as well.

“I think that got us over the line at the weekend and it was great to finally get the three points, especially for the fans as well who have continued to get behind us.

“That win was huge for us all.”

Saturday’s win was the first the Shrimpers have secured in League One since winning at MK Dons back in September.

And the 33-year-old is now keen to build on the victory at Doncaster, who thrashed Blues 7-1 at Roots Hall back in October, next Tuesday.

“We’re unbeaten in 2020 and we want to keep that going, keep battling and get more good results,” said White.

“We all know what happened last time we played against Doncaster and it was horrible.

“I was out injured at the time but I was still in and around the team and it was obviously tough.

“It was tough to watch and we’ll be going there fired up to get a result.”

White has now started three of the Shrimpers’ last four games after recovering from a broken arm.

But the defender still wears a protective cast which has now been superbly spruced up by team-mate Sam Barratt who enjoys producing art work in his spare time.

“I gave the cast to Sam and said he could do whatever he wanted but I absolutely love what he’s done,” said White.

“I told him to have a bit of fun with it and he’s drawn a picture of the Joker’s face on it which is just superb.

“I have to wear it every day in training as well so it’s stood the test of time and I think Sam enjoyed doing it as well.

“He does work on trainers and his drawings are on Instagram which are great as well but it’s so good what he’s done.

“I think it looks brilliant.”