|
Tinkler Signs for Shrimpers
|
|
Alan Little's long search for a midfielder has come to a conclusion with the signing of Mark Tinkler for £40,000. Tinkler is Little's third signing from his former club York City. He is also believed by many to be Alan Little's best signing at York City. Will Thornton, who runs a York City website gave the following appraisal of Mark Tinkler: He's a top class lower division midfielder. He's a bit of a nut case but he's skillful, a great passer of the ball, strong and good in the tackle.
|
|
Margetson off to Huddersfield
|
|
Martyn Margetson, Southend's second choice goalkeeper has been sold to Steve Bruce's Hudderfield Town for £40,000. The Welshman expressed his desire to return to the north so that he could be nearer his family. Margetson was brought to Southend by Alvin Martin last summer on a Free Transfer. The 27 year old stopper also invoked interest from Carlisle, Darlington and Halifax.
|
|
Colchester United pick up pre-season Trophy
|
 Essex rivals Colchester United beat the Blues in a closely fought contest at Roots Hall. The north Essex team scored two goals in quick concession midway through the first half to deny Southend the Essex Courier Cup. Four teams took part in the weekend tournament, including Premiership newboys, Watford and Barry Fry's Peterborough United. On the first day of the tournament Watford lost 4-0 to Colchester although they had a severely depleted team on display. The second match between Southend and Peterborough ended in a penalty shootout after it was 1-1 at Full time. The Posh bowed to the pressure in front of the South Stand when they missed all three of their penalties. On the final day The Posh beat Watford 2-1 while Colchester beat the Blues 2-1. Houghton scored the only goal for the Shrimpers.
|
|
West Ham Director Given New Role at Southend
|
|
Peter Storie is Southend United's new Cheif Executive. Storie played a key role in making West Ham one of the top clubs in Britain and the Blues had to beat off stiff competition for his signature.
"I've liked what I've seen here at Southend so far and I'm looking forward to making the club successful both on and off the pitch", Storrie stated. The ex-Hammers Director has signed on a three year contract
|
|
Burns Returns to Scotland
|
 Alex Burns has been released by Alan Little. Burns wasn't happy being away from his family and had expressed his desire to leave a few months ago. He signed for the Shrimpers from dutch club Heracles under the Bosman ruling at the start of last season. Alan Little said "There's no point in having players at this club who aren't completely focused in the job in hand so we decided to let him go". The 25 year old striker signed for Raith Rovers on a Free Transfer but Southend will receive 30% of any fee if they decide to sell him. It has also been known that Raith will give the Blues a healthy five figure sum if the Scottish First division side gain promotion next season.
|
|
Council Close to Accepting New Stadium Plans
|
|
Southend United and Council planning officials are near to accepting a Plan for a new stadium. The council are also set to contribute an adjacent piece of land worth £1m. This would give the proposal access to EEC development funds.
|
|
Martin Speaks!
|
|
Alvin Martin has spoken for the first time about his 20 month reign at Roots Hall. The former West Ham Defender said that he would go through it all again if he was given the opportunity. Alvin said "It hurt badly when I left Southend becuase I had seen my future there as long term" He said that he has many regrets, particularly at the end of his Southend Career. At his last Match as Blues manager Alvin declares that he made some tactical mistakes that cost vital points. "I scrapped our usual 5 man defence in favour of a flat back four and relegated Coleman to the subs bench, but Leo got himself sent off - which put us under pressure. In hindsight it was the wrong thing to do leaving out a player of Coleman's experience for such a big match and I still regret making that decision now." When Alvin first took the hotseat he underestimated the situation "When I first took over at Southend I knew I had a big job on my hands, but maybe I didn't realise how big it was" Martin added. Alvin also explained how painful it was during the final few months -"I never knew how much it could hurt being a football manager until I went to Southend" Although Martin didn't have the happiest of times at Southend he still has alot of affection for the club and has stated that he will follow the Shrimpers fortunes next season and may also go to one or two matches.
|
|
New Blues kit made by Rossco
|
 This is the badge that we will all be wearing on our chests next eason. The millenium kit will be made by Rossco's.
Rossco is the registered sports brand of Fairway Sports Europe Limited; established in 1992 to supply match and training kit, replicas and other leisure items to contracted football and rugby clubs.
In addition to Rossco, Fairway Sports are associated with Arrow Sports Shoes, CICA, and Uhlsport. Arrow Sports Shoes is the footwear brand of Sunkyong Global Ltd, one of the largest companies in South Korea. CICA is the sports brand of Clarks and Uhlsport is renowned for its goalkeeping equipment.
Rossco also make kits for Third division side Rochdale
|
|
Two more friendly matches arranged
|
|
Two more friendly matches have been aranged against non league opposition. On Wednesday, July 21, the Blues will travel to Ryman's league outfit, Purfleet. Two weeks later on August 4 they will visit Witham Town. The two new fixtures will end the Shrimpers' pre-season preparations. To see a list of the full fixtures including all Natiowide fixtures, click here
|
|
Fixture list announced
|
|
The fixture list for the forthcoming campaign has been announced. The Blues' first game will be against Plymouth at Home on Saturday August 7. In the Worthington cup Southend have been drawn against Oxford United. Another fixture that sticks out is the home match against the O's at the end of August. (can't wait for that one!)
|
|
Shocking News!
|
|
The fences around the away stand have come down!
|
|
Little's York connections
|
|
Alan Little next target is York City's Mark Tinkler. The Battling midfielder, formerly of Leeds Utd, is valued at £100,000 but it is believed that they would accept a bid of £80,000. Tinkler is believed by many to be Little's best signing as York Boss and it would be a masive bonus if he could sign the highly rated midfielder again.
|
|
Tolson and Connelly Re-united with Little
|
  Neil Tolson has become Alan Little's first signing as the Blues Boss when he signed under the Bosman Ruling. The towering striker netted 18 times under Little's regime at York but had decided not to renew his contract with City. 25 Year old Tolson has played at the highest level with Oldham so he will fit in nicely at Roots Hall! Neil is a player that the gaffer knows plenty about, "He's the sort of striker we've been crying out for - someone who will hit the 20 goal mark - and I'm delighted to have brought him to Roots Hall". After he rejected the contract York City were offering him, Alan Little was quick to swoop and the 6ft 3ins hit man was easily persuaded. Tolson's previous clubs include Walsall, Oldham, Bradford and York
At 6:45 the same day, it was also announced that Little had made his seond summer signing, capturing the signature of winger, Gordon Connelly. The Blues boss brought connelly to English Football when he signed the 22 year old from Airdrie a year ago. The transfer fee has not been anounced but is thought to be in the region of £50,000
|
|
Pre-Season Tournament at Roots Hall
|
| Southend will kick off their pre-season preparations when they visit Gravesend on Tuesday July 13. On Friday Norwich visit the Hall in an evening kick off. Then, the following Tuesday the Shrimpers will make the short trip to Billericay in another evening kick off. On Saturday July 24th the Blues will host a weekend of football when Watford, Peterboro and Colchester United visit The Hall. |
|
Season Tickets being Snapped up
|
| Due to impressive sales, Chairman, John Main has decided that a voucher will be issued with all season tickets. This will entitle the holder to 25% discount in the Blues Superstore througout the season. He said that "Our fans have had to put up with so much heartache during the past few seasons - and this is our way of saying thankyou for staying with us" Nearly 1,000 tickets have already been sold since going on sale at the beginning of the season. |
|
Blues Recieve £1/4 Million Grant
|
| The English Sports Council has handed, Southend's Director of Youth Development, Peter Trevivian, a cheque for £276,000. The Money will be used to restructure the Youth development at Roots Hall. Peter commented on the cash injection - "This Money will be used to cement a firm foundation for Southend's future which will keep this club alive". The news will come as a good releif to Blues Fans after all the financial difficulties of the past season. Peter Trevivian said, "This will allow us to make the most of the vast amount of young talent in our catchment area". The Southend Junior Football league is the largest junior league in England but for an unknown reason this has not come to the Shrimpers advantage, however this money will help to make sure that it does.. |
|
New Kit will be revealed on July 11
|
| Southend's new kit, will be launched at boots and Laces on July the 11th. The event will be a good opportunity to meet all the players. The kit will sell for £30 (unless you hold a season ticket) |
|
Boere Stabbed in the Eye!
|
| Former Blues Striker, Jeroen Boere was stabbed in the eye in a Japanese nightclub. The Attack will end the carreer of the 31 year old Dutchman who has also played at West Ham and Crystal Palace. He was the top goalscorer at Roots Hall for two seasons before heading to Japan to play for Omija Ardija He scored 25 goals in 73 league games for the Shrimpers. Hundreds of get well messages were sent from Blues Supporters from the Southend United ISFA mailing list on the Internet. |
