Southend United F.C.

Chart of table positions of Southend in the League.

Founded on 19 May 1906 in the Blue Boar pub[2][3] after landlord Oliver Trigg invited a group of footballers and businessmen to discuss setting up a new club,[4] Southend United F.C. played in the Southern League until 1920. The club then joined the Football League's new Third Division and finished 17th in their first season. In 1921, the Third Division was regionalised with Southend United joining the southern section and here they remained until league re-structure in 1958. Southend twice came close to promotion, finishing third in 1932 and 1950, the club's highest league positions until 1991.[5]

Southend United joined the new national Third Division in 1958, where they remained until 1966 when they suffered their first ever relegation, into the Fourth Division. The club had to wait six seasons until 1972 to experience the club's first ever promotion as runners-up behind Grimsby Town. In 1976 Southend suffered relegation again before taking another runners-up spot behind Watford in 1978. Another relegation in 1980 was directly followed by one of the most successful seasons in the club's history as they won the Fourth Division Championship in 1981, breaking a series of club records in the process.[5] Despite success on the pitch and low admission prices, the club's gates were low and condemned as "a bad reflection on the town".[5]^: 72

In 1984, the club was relegated to the Fourth Division (Bobby Moore was manager), and the following season finished 20th, narrowly avoiding having to seek re-election to the Football League. However, Southend gained promotion in 1987. Although relegated again in 1989 (albeit with the highest point total of any relegated team in League history), successive promotions in 1990 and 1991 saw Southend United reach the second tier of the Football League; in 1992, under manager David Webb, the club finished 12th in the old Second Division, having briefly topped the division on New Year's Day, 1992.

Southend United were managed by Colin Murphy, Barry Fry and then Peter Taylor over the next three seasons. In 1995, former Liverpool player Ronnie Whelan became player-manager.[6] Southend finished 14th in Division One in his first season as a manager, but were relegated a year later and Whelan left the club, later winning a case for wrongful dismissal.[7] He was replaced by Alvin Martin but Martin was unable to avoid a second consecutive relegation. Martin left in April 1999, with Southend fifth from bottom in the Football League,.[8] Alan Little was manager for a brief spell before the club turned again to David Webb, then Rob Newman, Steve Wignall and, in late 2003, former Southend United midfielder Steve Tilson.

Under Tilson, Southend reached their first national cup final, meeting Blackpool in the final of the Football League Trophy at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.[9] Over 20,000 Southend fans travelled,[10] but the team did not rise to the occasion and Blackpool won 2–0. Tilson then led Southend to promotion to League 1 in 2005, while making a second successive appearance in the Football League Trophy final, which the Shrimpers lost 2–0 to Wrexham,[11] but the third appearance at the Millennium Stadium in the League Two play-off final against Lincoln City brought success[12] giving the club its first promotion via the play-off system and their first major silverware since 1981.

In May 2006 Southend became League One champions after beating Bristol City 1–0 at Roots Hall in front of over 11,000 fans - the club's first title in 25 years. Tilson was named as the League Manager Association's Manager-of-the-Season for League One.

Southend started the 2006–07 season with wins over Stoke City and Sunderland, but then did not win a league game for 18 games until December 2006. In the meantime, however, Southend did beat trophy holders and Premier League Champions Manchester United 1–0 in a League Cup fourth round tie on 7 November 2006, with Freddy Eastwood scoring the winner.[13] Southend briefly escaped the relegation zone in March 2007 but only 10 league wins in the season meant the Shrimpers were relegated back to League One. Southend finished sixth in League One at the end of 2007–08, qualifying for a play-off place. Against Doncaster Rovers, Southend drew the home leg 0–0, but lost the second leg 5–1. The following season, Southend finished 8th, missing out on a play-off place, but the 2009–2010 season was tougher: a run of just one win in 2010 left Southend deep in trouble, and relegation to League Two was confirmed on 24 April 2010 following a 2–2 draw at Oldham. On 4 July 2010 manager Steve Tilson was put on gardening leave,[14] ending his seven-year stint as manager.

During the 2009–10 season, Southend faced two winding-up orders from HM Revenue and Customs over unpaid tax bills.[15][16] In February 2010 Southend players were not paid, the Professional Footballers Association had to pay the players, and the club were placed under a transfer embargo until they paid the money back.[17] In March 2010 Southend were given a 35-day extension to pay the unpaid bill or face administration,[18] and further seven day extension in April 2010.[19] On 20 April 2010 the bill was paid,[20] and in August 2010 all actions against Southend United were dropped and an agreement was reached with HMRC.[21]

On 5 July 2010 former Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle manager, Paul Sturrock was announced as the new manager.[22] Sturrock led Southend to a 13th place in his first season, but the club mounted a more serious challenge the following season, spending 11 weeks at the top of League Two before a decline in form meant the team had to enter the play-offs. Southend lost the play off semi-final against Crewe Alexandra 3–2 on aggregate.

Southend United at Wembley

A transfer embargo at the start of the 2012–13 season saw the club start its campaign with a depleted squad. However, a successful loan signing - Britt Assombalonga from Watford - helped Southend to a run of 14 games unbeaten which saw them reach 4th in the table. League form dipped in early 2013, but the club reached its first Wembley cup final in the Football League Trophy. Paul Sturrock was sacked two weeks before the cup final but was controversially asked to manage the team for the final. Sturrock refused and watched the game from the stand. The Blues took a record 33,000 fans to the match, but lost 2–0 to Crewe Alexandra.[23]

Phil Brown was brought in as Sturrock's successor but picked up just one win in his eight games in charge as Southend finished the season in 11th position, with only six league wins at Roots Hall all season. In 2015 Brown led the team, via a play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers (decided 7–6 on penalties), into League One.[24] At the end of the 2016–2017 season, the club missed the play-offs for the Championship by only one point.[25] The following season, Southend finished 10th, but slipped to 19th at the end of the 2018–2019 season, avoiding relegation on goal difference having finished equal on 50 points with relegated Plymouth Argyle.

On 22 October 2019, Sol Campbell was appointed manager of Southend.[26] Campbell took charge for his first game — a 3–1 home defeat to Ipswich Town — on 25 October.[27]

Financial difficulties, including a winding-up petition heard on 22 January 2020, resulted in non-payment of players' and other employees' wages in December 2019, after which players consulted with the PFA.[28] At this point (9 January 2020), Southend were 22nd in League One, 15 points from safety after winning only one of 24 league games.[28] Club chairman Ron Martin paid £140,000 after seven senior Southend United players were not paid their December 2019 wages on time, and met with all players to reassure them it would not happen again.[29] The winding-up petition was dismissed after debts were cleared.[30]

On 18 January 2020, Southend won their first league game under Campbell with a 2–1 victory away at Accrington Stanley, also a first league win since 21 September 2019.[31] However, financial constraints prevented the club signing any new players during the January 2020 transfer window.[32] On 2 March, Martin confirmed Southend was under an EFL transfer embargo due to an unpaid tax bill,[33] while February's wages to players were not paid on time, resulting in further PFA involvement.[34] On 9 March, Southend was charged with misconduct by the EFL for failing to pay players on time, and for fielding an ineligible player against Lincoln City on 1 February[35] (on 2 June, Southend received a suspended three-point penalty and were fined £7,500 for these offences).[36] On 11 March, a further HMRC winding-up petition was adjourned to 29 April;[37] it was then adjourned three more times,[38][39] eventually to 28 October 2020.[40]

On 2 April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, Southend put "several staff and some players" on furlough (temporary leave) under the UK Government's emergency job retention scheme. The club's chairman said "It enables the club to best manage its finances during this time of limited income",[41] but the move was criticised by the PFA who said the club had "consistently" let players down over wages.[42] On 9 June, Football League clubs in Leagues One and Two agreed to end the 2019–20 season; Southend were relegated to League Two.[43] The following day, the club announced it was putting the whole playing squad on furlough,[44] but players refused to accept the move.[45] On 30 June 2020, manager Campbell and three assistants left the club by mutual consent.[46]

On 13 August 2020, Southend United appointed Mark Molesley, formerly manager of Weymouth, as their new manager on a three-year contract.[47] On 28 October 2020, the club finally settled tax debts of £493,931 with HMRC; as a result, a winding-up petition was dismissed by the High Court.[48] On 9 April 2021, Molesley was sacked having only won eight games out of 45;[49] the club were 23rd, five points from safety with six games remaining. Phil Brown returned as manager[50][51] but could not rescue the situation; Southend suffered a second successive relegation on 1 May 2021 with a game to spare despite a 2–1 victory at Barrow, dropping out of the Football League after 101 years.[52] Brown subsequently agreed a two-year contract to manage the club.[53]

In April 2021, former Southend player Stan Collymore wrote to Martin offering to buy the club from him,[54] and held talks concerning the potential appointment of a Collymore associate as the club's CEO.[55] In May 2021, Tom Lawrence (formerly CEO at Gillingham) was appointed.[56] In August 2021, Southend revealed their overall debt in July 2019 was £17.4m, having grown by £2.4m; Martin said the majority of the debt was owed to his companies, and that £6.8m of debt had already been written off.[57] On 21 August 2021, Southend started their first season in the National League with a 1–0 victory at King's Lynn Town,[58] but a six-match winless streak had manager Phil Brown fearing for his future, describing Southend as stuck in a massive "chasm".[59] On 5 and 9 October 2021, Southend fans staged protests at Roots Hall demanding the departure of chairman Ron Martin;[60] following a 4–0 defeat by Chesterfield at Roots Hall on 9 October, Brown was sacked.[61][62] Collymore offered further free support to the club, described by the BBC as "a mess" and "already on life support".[63] Defender Jason Demetriou took temporary charge[64] before, on 20 October 2021, Kevin Maher returned to the club as head coach, supported by assistant Darren Currie and Mark Bentley as first team coach.[65] CEO Tom Lawrence also started negotiations with Collymore about a formal role with the club,[66] and he was appointed the club's senior football strategist in early November 2021,[67] with John Still appointed head of football two weeks later.[68] In December 2021, Southend was placed under a National League embargo because of HMRC debts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic;[69] after back-to-back relegations and 18 months of reduced income, CEO Lawrence said the club was "in a deteriorating income position".[70] In May 2022, Southend finished their first National League season in 13th position.[71]

On 30 September 2022, the club was placed under a transfer embargo after a missed payment to HMRC.[72] In a statement, Martin blamed a programme delay for a missed payment under the club's Time To Pay Agreement with HMRC, which he said had been cancelled prematurely. He said bridging finance would enable the club to discharge its HMRC debt in full.[73] Nonetheless, in October 2022, HMRC issued a winding-up petition. Due to be heard at the High Court on 9 November,[74] it was adjourned to 18 January 2023;[75] the transfer embargo remained in place. After members of staff were reported to be late receiving their October 2022 salaries,[76] the Shrimpers Trust and shirt sponsor PG Site Services each loaned the club £40,000,[77] a gesture described by CEO Tom Lawrence as "humbling".[78] November and some December 2022 wages for players and non-playing staff were also paid late[79][80] (on 29 December 2022, many backroom staff remained unpaid since October).[81] Lawrence said the club had a funding gap of about £2m a year; promotion to League Two would reduce current losses to more manageable levels; the club was then 6th in the National League.[80]

With the club's final accounts for the year to 31 July 2020 still not filed (overdue since April 2021), on 3 January 2023, Companies House issued a first Gazette notice to have the company struck off.[82] On 18 January 2023, the HMRC winding up hearing was adjourned again, until 1 March 2023.[83] In a 25 January 2023 statement, Martin could not "outline precise timings" regarding the bridging finance;[84] he was later reported to be seeking a £5m loan to pay debts including £1.4m in unpaid tax owed to HMRC.[85] The Shrimpers Trust did not expect the club to make a loan repayment due at the start of February,[86] and, with players and other staff unpaid for January, anxious fans started planning a 'phoenix club'[87][88] and there were unsuccessful attempts to engage with Martin over a possible sale of the club.[89]

On 10 February 2023, St John Ambulance said it would no longer provide first aid staff at Southend United home games because of outstanding fees,[90] forcing the club to find alternative medical cover ahead of an FA Trophy tie with York City.[91] The following day, Martin said finding the money to clear the club's HMRC debt by 1 March "will be close" but he "will not let the club be wound-up". He described the debt as a legacy of unpaid PAYE for players' wages from when Southend was in Leagues One and Two.[92] Players' January wages remained unpaid ahead of Southend's 25 February game at Torquay United,[93] and were eventually paid 28 days late; other staff had not been paid since November.[94] Less than 24 hours before the winding-up hearing, the club said it had paid the £1.4m tax bill, adding that "funds as working capital" had also been injected into the club.[95] At a brief hearing at the Insolvency and Companies Court on 1 March 2023, the winding-up petition was dismissed after HMRC confirmed the debt had been paid.[96] However, the transfer embargo remained in place;[97] sponsors, angry at being kept in the dark, talked of taking legal action against the club;[98] and supporters groups, fearing "the next crisis could be just around the corner", highlighted the "owner's inadequacies" and said a new beginning would only be possible "when a new structure and ownership is in place at the club".[99] Two days later, defender Kacper Łopata, apparently unhappy at how players were treated over their unpaid wages, terminated his contract with the club,[100] a decision supported by the FA's Contract Disputes Tribunal.[101]

On 17 March 2023, the club said Ron Martin and the board of directors had commenced a formal process to explore the sale of the club or to bring in new investment partners.[102][103] With Martin set to own any stadium at Fossetts Farm, the Shrimpers Trust urged Southend Council to use its planning powers to ensure the stadium remained in the club's ownership,[104][105] but councillors doubted the council's ability to implement fans' proposals.[106]

Despite the February 2023 funds injection, the club's financial difficulties continued. On 6 April 2023, the club had paid all staff salaries up to March 2023, but some club office staff had yet to receive their March pay.[107] The club had also been fined £2000 by the FA for players' behaviour towards the match referee in a league game against Barnet in March.[108] On 14 April 2023, shirt sponsor PG Site Services said it would stop sponsoring the club "due to a breakdown of our relationship with the current owner RM and his conduct".[109] On 30 April 2023, the club finished their second National League season in 8th position, outside the promotion and play-off places; non-playing staff at the club had not been paid for the past two months.[110] Further doubt over Southend United's ongoing financial viability[111] emerged on 4 May 2023 when the club was served another HMRC winding-up petition - their 18th[112] - due to be heard in the High Court on 17 May.[113] Three companies, including PG Site Services and Engie Power, were also involved in the petition,[114] but the hearing was adjourned to 17 July 2023, giving Ron Martin more time to sell the club.[115]

Southend players

The club has an intense local rivalry with fellow Essex side Colchester United, which extends back many years.

However, at the end of the 1989–90 season, Southend's promotion from the Football League Fourth Division coincided with Colchester's fall from the Football League, so the clubs had to wait almost 15 years before meeting again in competition in 2004, when they contested the Southern Final of the Football League Trophy; the Shrimpers won 4–3 on aggregate, securing their first ever appearance in a national cup final. In the following season, the two clubs met again in an Essex derby match in the same competition, with Southend emerging as the victors once again after a penalty shootout.

The two clubs were promoted from League One at the end of the 2005–06 season, after a long battle for top spot was eventually won by Southend. The overall competitive head-to-head record for the rivalry stands at 30 wins for Southend, 25 wins for Colchester, and 17 draws.[124] The last meeting between Southend and Colchester came in October 2018, when Colchester won 2–0 in the group stage of the EFL Trophy.[125]

There is also a fierce rivalry between Southend and Leyton Orient, which arises from the time between 1998 and 2005, when the Essex club were Orient's geographically-closest league rivals. Although the games between the two teams are eagerly anticipated, and Southend are considered to be Orient's main rivals, the Shrimpers see the London club as secondary rivals to Colchester United, for geographical and historical reasons.[126]

The Shrimpers beat the O's in the 2012–13 Football League Trophy Southern Area Final. Southend won 1–0 at Brisbane Road in the first leg of the area final and drew 2–2 at Roots Hall in the second leg, winning 3–2 on aggregate, despite being in a lower division than Orient at the time, to book a place at Wembley in the final against Crewe Alexandra.

Since Southend's relegation to the National League, a rivalry with Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. has developed, although largely only recognised by the London club.

As of 21 March 2023[127]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  ENG Steve Arnold 2 DF  ENG Gus Scott-Morriss 3 DF  ENG Nathan Ralph (captain) 4 DF  ENG Louis Lomas 5 DF  ENG Shaun Hobson 6 DF  ENG Ollie Kensdale 7 MF  ENG Jack Bridge 8 MF  AFG Noor Husin 9 FW  IRL Rhys Murphy 10 FW  WAL Dan Mooney 11 MF  ENG Callum Powell 12 DF  ENG Tom Clifford 14 MF  ENG Jack Wood 16 MF  ENG Harry Taylor 17 MF  ENG Cav Miley

No. Pos. Nation Player 18 MF  ENG Wesley Fonguck 19 FW  USA Chris Wreh 21 MF  ENG Jon Benton 23 FW  SCO Harry Cardwell 24 DF  CYP Jason Demetriou 25 DF  ENG Louis Arrowsmith 26 DF  ENG Tommy Davis 27 DF  ENG Jaden Crowhurst 28 MF  ENG Oli Coker 29 DF  ENG Luke Reeve 30 GK  ITA Collin Andeng-Ndi 35 FW  ENG Henry Sandat 36 FW  ENG Max Fiddes 39 FW  ENG Jake Hyde (on loan from Wrexham)

As of 11 February 2022[128]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Academy manager: Mark Patterson

Academy operations secretary/U21s secretary: Vacant

Professional development phase coach: Danny Heath

Lead youth development phase coach: Oisín Seager

Lead foundation phase coach: Tom Bailey

Education and welfare officer: Elaine Hume

Academy lead physiotherapist: Vacant

Under 21 strength and conditioning coach: Jon Rossi

Under 18 strength and conditioning coach: Vacant

• League One/Third Division (Tier 3)
  • Champions: 2005–06
  • Runners-up: 1990–91
• League Two/Fourth Division (Tier 4)
  • Champions: 1980–81
  • Runners-up: 1971–72, 1977–78
  • Play-off winners: 2005, 2015
• Southern League Second Division
  • Winners: 1906–07, 1907–08

• EFL Trophy
  • Runners-up: 2003–04, 2004–05, 2012–13
• Essex Professional Cup
  • Winners (10): 1950, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1962, 1965, 1967, 1972, 1973
• Essex Senior Cup
  • Winners (3): 1983, 1991, 1997, 2008
• Essex Thameside Trophy
  • Winners: 1990[133]