U’s winger Simon Hackney is smiling again following his one month loan switch to Morecambe.

THERE aren’t too many people that have a life affirming experience in Morecambe.

That’s what’s happened to Colchester United winger Simon Hackney though who admits he has ‘found happiness again’ following a loan spell at the League Two club.

The 26-year-old admits that a mix of personal problems and a lack of first team football had him feeling very low at the start of last month.

A four week temporary switch to the familiar surroundings of Lancashire – the place where he spent four years playing for Carlisle – has left him completely rejuvenated though.

“Sometimes it just needs something for you click – something to make you believe in yourself again,” said Hackney, who was recalled to Colchester after scoring one goal in eight starts at the play-off chasing Shrimps.

“The loan was something that I needed just to get myself to feel good again.

“Before I went up there I was quite low. It was nothing to do with the players or anything, there were just a few things going on in my life – personal things – that were happening.

“Those things just cleared when I went up there though. I’ve managed to find happiness again.”

The Manchester-born midfielder lives on his own in Colchester, but spent his time at Morecambe staying at a mixture of family and friends’ houses.

He continued: “I’m a very family based person and I think seeing my family has made a big difference.

“There is a day-to-day aspect of any job that brings its ups and downs. Some people deal with that better than others.

“I know I’m very fortunate to be a footballer, but at the end of the day I’m also a human being.”

Hackney’s first full season at the U’s started so well last August when his direct running played a leading role in the club’s 7-1 win at Norwich City.

However, following the departure of manager Paul Lambert and the appointment of Aidy Boothroyd just weeks later, the tricky left-winger soon found his first team opportunities severely limited.

Handed a rare start at Preston in the third round of the FA Cup back in January, Hackney was hauled off after 55 minutes as the U’s crashed to an embarrassing 7-0 defeat.

He failed to make a single first team appearance in the following two months and was eventually loaned out in the middle of March.

“I owe a lot to Morecambe,” said Hackney. “It helps when someone peps you up and believes in you. They’ve made me believe in myself again.

“Going on loan has really helped me get my confidence back. I feel great and I’m doing the things that I was doing when I first came to the club.

“In training I’m lots more smiley now. I’ve got a buzz about me and I’m ready to go again.

“I feel very positive at the moment in general. Everything about me feels upbeat. I think I just needed to play and remember what it was like running at people again.”

U’s boss Aidy Boothroyd has revealed that a number of players will be leaving the club this summer, but admitted last week that Hackney – who still has a year left on his contract – is still ‘very much’ in his plans.

– For a full Huddersfield v Colchester match preview, plus news on Aidy Boothroyd’s transfer plans, see tomorrow’s EADT.