{{short description|Association football club in England}} {{Use British English|date=January 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Southend United | image = Southend United.svg | upright = 0.8 | fullname = Southend United Football Club | nickname = The Shrimpers <br />The Blues <br />The Seasiders | founded = {{Start date and age|1906|5|19|df=yes}} | ground = [[Roots Hall]]<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.southendunited.co.uk/club/rootshall |title = Roots Hall |publisher = Southend United F.C|date = 30 April 2024 |access-date=30 April 2024}}</ref> | capacity = 12,392 (restricted to 10,508) | coordinates = {{Coord|51.5490|0.7018}} | chairman = Justin Rees | manager = ''Vacant'' | mgrtitle = Head Coach | league = {{English football updater|SouthenU}} | season = {{English football updater|SouthenU2}} | position = {{English football updater|SouthenU3}} | website = {{URL|southendunited.co.uk}} | pattern_la1 = _goldbluestripe | pattern_b1 = _sufc1st | pattern_ra1 = _goldbluestripe | pattern_sh1 = _sufc1st | pattern_so1 = _sufc1st | leftarm1 = 000055 | body1 = 000055 | rightarm1 = 000055 | shorts1 = 000055 | socks1 = FFFFFF | pattern_la2 = _goldnavyborder | pattern_b2 = _sufc2nd | pattern_ra2 = _goldnavyborder | pattern_sh2 = _sufc2nd | pattern_so2 = _sufc2nd | leftarm2 = 000055 | body2 = ECC300 | rightarm2 = 000055 | shorts2 = ECC300 | socks2 = 000055 | pattern_la3 = | pattern_b3 = _sufc3rd | pattern_ra3 = | pattern_sh3 = | pattern_so3 = | leftarm3 = 000000 | body3 = 000000 | rightarm3 = 000000 | shorts3 = 000000 | socks3 = 000000 | current = 2025–26 Southend United F.C. season }} '''Southend United Football Club''' is a professional [[association football]] club based in [[Southend-on-Sea]], [[Essex]], England, which competes in the [[National League (English football)|National League]], the fifth [[English football league system|level of English football]]. The team are known as "The Shrimpers", a reference to the area's maritime industry that is included as one of the quarters on the club badge. The club has a long-standing rivalry with [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]], with which it contests the [[Essex derby]]. Southend United is based at [[Roots Hall Stadium]] in [[Prittlewell]], [[Southend-on-Sea]].
Founded on 19 May 1906 in the Blue Boar Hotel, Southend won the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] Second Division in both of its two initial seasons and was admitted into the [[English Football League|Football League]] in 1920. It spent the next 44 years in the third tier of English football, before dropping into the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] in 1966. They spent the next 24 years moving between the third and fourth tiers, winning promotions in 1971–72, 1977–78, 1980–81 (as champions), 1986–87 and 1989–90. They were promoted into the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] for the first time at the end of the 1990–91 season. After six seasons in the second tier they suffered a double relegation in 1997 and 1998. Under manager [[Steve Tilson]], Southend again secured a double promotion in 2004–05 and 2005–06 to win a place in the [[EFL Championship|Championship]] as [[EFL League One|League One]] champions. However, they only lasted one season in the second tier and then, after two top half League One finishes, were relegated back to League Two in 2010. They secured promotion as play-off winners in 2015, but suffered another double relegation in 2020 and 2021, amid deep financial problems that several times pushed the club to the brink of liquidation, to drop—after 101 years in the Football League—into the [[National League (English football)|National League]], where they remain. In 2026, they won their first [[FA Trophy]] title.
==History== {{main|History of Southend United F.C.}}
===1906–1920: Foundation and early years=== Southend United Football Club was founded on 19 May 1906 in the Blue Boar Hotel<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.southendtimeline.com/1906.htm |title=1906 – Southend Timeline |work=southendtimeline.com |access-date=10 May 2014 |archive-date=20 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120074912/https://www.southendtimeline.com/1906.htm |url-status=usurped }}</ref><ref name="BBC-15Feb2023">{{cite news |title=Southend United: Fans fear future without football club |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-64635685 |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=BBC News |date=15 February 2023}}</ref> after landlord Oliver Trigg invited a group of footballers and businessmen to discuss setting up a new professional club.<ref name="England-26Apr2023">{{cite news |last1=England |first1=Sophie |title=Historic pub where Southend United was founded to be sold |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/23479270.historic-pub-southend-united-founded-sold/ |access-date=26 April 2023 |work=Echo |date=26 April 2023}}</ref>{{efn|When the club was incorporated on 1 August 1906, Trigg was among the club's initial five directors, listed as proprietor of the Blue Boar Hotel; others were a licensed victualler (Frederick England, of the Nelson Hotel in Prittlewell), a London stock-broker (Charles Albert Stein), an agent (George Hutton Hogsflesh), and a merchant and cigar importer (Tom Stuart Tidy).<ref name="CoHo-Incorp">{{cite web |title=Southend United Football Club - Incorporation |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00089767/filing-history/Njc2Nzc2NDVhZGlxemtjeA/document?format=pdf&download=0 |website=Companies House |access-date=30 August 2023}}</ref>}} The new Southend United would displace the more prominent Southend Athletic in the town, who later disbanded.<ref name="HistoryMiles">{{cite web|url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/club/history |title=History and Honours |author=Peter Miles |publisher=Southend United F.C. |access-date=5 October 2023}}</ref> A prospectus for shares in the club issued in August 1906 noted the club had been elected to compete in the Second Division of the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] and in the South Eastern League, and a seven-year lease had been agreed to play at Roots Hall Field in [[Prittlewell]].<ref name="CoHoProspectus">{{cite web |title=Southend United F.C.: Increase in nominal capital: Prospectus (August 1906) |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00089767/filing-history/NTk1Mjk5ODNhZGlxemtjeA/document?format=pdf&download=0 |website=Companies House |access-date=30 August 2023}}</ref>
[[Bob Jack|Robert Jack]] ("late of [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle Football Club]]") was appointed as manager, secretary and player, and 12 professional players were recruited, including two - outside left [[Alfred Ernest Watkins]] (formerly at [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]) and back [[George Molyneux]] (formerly at [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]]) - listed as internationals (Watkins had played for [[Wales national football team|Wales]], Molyneux for [[England national football team|England]]).<ref name="CoHoProspectus"/>{{efn|As well as the initial five directors, the prospectus listed three additional shareholders: Andrew Ducat, a builder, Archibald Howard, a canvasser, and John Holton, a chartered accountant.<ref name="CoHoProspectus"/>}} Other signings included goalkeeper [[Charles Cotton (footballer)|Charles Cotton]] from [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham]], outside right [[Arthur Holden (footballer)|Arthur Holden]] from [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]], and centre-forward [[Harold Halse]] from Wanstead, plus players from Southend Athletic, [[Grays United F.C.|Grays United]], [[South Weald F.C.|South Weald]] and Leigh Ramblers.<ref name="CoHoProspectus"/> In the Southern League Second Division, Southend would primarily compete against reserve teams.<ref name="HistoryMiles"/>
In their first season under Jack's management, Southend won the Southern League Second Division title for [[1906–07 Southern Football League|1906–07]], then repeated the feat the [[1907–08 Southern Football League|following season]], gaining election to the Southern League First Division in 1908.<ref name="HistoryMiles"/> The club first entered the [[FA Cup]] in [[1907–08 FA Cup|1907–08]], where they met East Ham.<ref name="HistoryMiles"/> When Jack left Southend in 1910, he was succeeded as player-manager by Molyneux. Southend were relegated back to the Second Division after the [[1910–11 Southern Football League|1910–11 season]], but returned to the First Division two seasons later as runners-up.<ref name="FCHD">{{cite web|url=https://fchd.info/SOUTHENU.HTM |title=Southend United |publisher=Football Club History Database |access-date=5 October 2023}}</ref> However, [[World War I]] disrupted the club's progress.<ref name="HistoryMiles"/> To aid the country's war effort, parts of the club's ground Roots Hall were dismantled and requisitioned to a nearby timber yard where buildings had been destroyed by bombs.<ref name="HistoryMiles"/> After the war, Roots Hall was unusable so Southend moved to '[[Kursaal (amusement park)|The Kursaal]]'.<ref name="HistoryMiles"/>
===1920s–1980s: Establishment in the Football League=== [[File:Southend United FC League Performance.svg|thumb|300px|Chart of table positions of Southend in the English football league system]] The club remained in the Southern League until the first post-[[World War I]] season of [[1919–20 Southern Football League|1919–20]]. The club then joined the Football League's new [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] and finished 17th in their first season.<ref name="FCHD"/> In 1921, the Third Division was regionalised with Southend United joining the [[Football League Third Division South|Third Division South]].<ref name="HistoryMiles"/> In their second Football League season, Southend had to apply for re-election.<ref name="HistoryMiles"/> However, from 1922, under new manager [[Ted Birnie]], the club began to stabilise and began to challenge for promotion to the Second Division, finishing third in 1932.<ref name="HistoryMiles"/> After a successful twelve years, Birnie left to be replaced in May 1934 by [[David Jack]], son of the club's first manager,<ref name="HistoryMiles"/> and the Shrimpers moved from the Kursaal to the [[Southend Stadium]].<ref name="HistoryMiles"/> A highlight of Jack's six-year tenure saw Southend draw 4–4 in the [[1935–36 FA Cup|FA Cup]] third round at [[White Hart Lane]] against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] in January 1936 before losing the replay.<ref name="HistoryMiles"/> Following the start of [[World War II]], the [[1939–40 in English football|1939–40]] season was abandoned.<ref name="HistoryMiles"/> In the [[1948–49 Football League|1948–49]] season, the Shrimpers narrowly avoided a re-election vote.<ref name="FCHD"/> Southend came close to promotion when they finished third in 1950 (the club's joint highest league position until 1991).<ref name=PeterMason>{{cite book|last=Mason|first=Peter|title=Southend United: the official history of 'The Blues'|year=1994|isbn=1-874427-20-8}}</ref> Southend remained in the Third Division South until the re-structuring of the Football League in 1958.<ref name="FCHD"/>
Southend United joined the new national [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] in 1958, where they remained until 1966 when they suffered their first relegation, into the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]]. The club had to wait six seasons until 1972 to experience the club's first promotion, as runners-up behind [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]]. In 1976 Southend suffered relegation again before taking another runners-up spot behind [[Watford F.C.|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.<ref name=PeterMason /> Despite success on the pitch and low admission prices, the club's gates were low and condemned as "a bad reflection on the town".<ref name=PeterMason />{{rp|page=72}}
===1984–2000=== In 1984, the club was relegated to the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] with [[Bobby Moore]] as 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 the [[1991–92 Southend United F.C. season|1991–92 season]] saw Southend United reach the second tier of the [[Football League]]; in 1992, under manager [[David Webb (footballer)|David Webb]], the club finished 12th in the old [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]], having briefly topped the division on New Year's Day, 1992.
Southend United were then managed by [[Colin Murphy (footballer born 1950)|Colin Murphy]] and [[Barry Fry]]. Fry moved to Southend United in 1993 with the club bottom of [[Football League First Division|Division One]]. Fry kept Southend up, but later in the year moved to [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]].<ref name=indep>{{cite web|title=Barry Fry: 'I've had the sack everywhere I've been, but you expect that'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/barry-fry-ive-had-the-sack-everywhere-ive-been-but-you-expect-that-2290507.html|work=The Independent|access-date=2 January 2012|date=29 May 2011}}</ref> He was succeeded by former Shrimpers player [[Peter John Taylor|Peter Taylor]] in his first managerial role in the Football League. He spent two years between 1993 and 1995 as manager, but quit at the end of the [[1994-95 in English football|1994–95]] season after failing to get them beyond the middle of the Division One table. In 1995, former [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] player [[Ronnie Whelan]] became player-manager.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ronnie Whelan|url=http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/history-685.html|publisher=League Managers Association|access-date=22 November 2011|archive-date=26 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926223748/http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/history-685.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Southend finished 14th in [[Football League First Division|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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ronnie Whelan|url=http://www.shrimper.org.uk/managers/ronniewhelan.shtml|work=Blue Anorak|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010305222040/http://www.shrimper.org.uk/managers/ronniewhelan.shtml|archive-date=5 March 2001}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Alvin Martin]] who was unable to avoid a second consecutive relegation.
Martin Dawn PLC (run by [[Ron Martin (businessman)|Ron Martin]]) and [[Delancey (company)|Delancey Estates]], together forming South Eastern Leisure (SEL), took control of Southend United in November 1998, buying the club and its centrally located [[Roots Hall]] ground for £4 million from then chairman Vic Jobson, who at the time owned 55% of the issued share capital of the club.<ref name="Conn-22Sep2000">{{cite news |last1=Conn |first1=David |date=22 September 2000 |title=Southend soap opera may have sad ending |work=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/southend-soap-opera-may-have-sad-ending-637463.html |access-date=22 April 2021}}</ref> (The transfer of Roots Hall's ownership to Roots Hall Limited - 50% owned by Martin Dawn - was to have ramifications almost 25 years later.<ref name=Derelictionp6>Shrimpers Trust (2023) ''[https://www.shrimperstrust.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Dereliction-Decline-The-story-of-Southend-United-under-Ron-Martin.pdf Dereliction & Decline: The story of Southend United under Ron Martin]'', p.6 Accessed: 5 October 2023.</ref>) Jobson had previously sold part of the ground's South Bank for housing, and SEL's plan was to continue the redevelopment and move the club to a proposed 16,000-seat ground, [[Fossetts Farm Stadium]], in a leisure redevelopment in the northern part of Southend.<ref name="Conn-22Sep2000" />
Alvin Martin left in April 1999, with Southend fifth from bottom in [[the Football League]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Southend United's Managers: Alvin Martin|url=http://www.shrimper.org.uk/managers/alvinmartin.shtml|work=Blue Anorak|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010305222220/http://www.shrimper.org.uk/managers/alvinmartin.shtml|archive-date=5 March 2001}}</ref>
===Early 21st century=== [[Alan Little (footballer)|Alan Little]] was manager for a brief spell, helping them to avoid the drop into the [[Football Conference]] and also helped them survive a serious financial crisis by slashing the wage bill and rebuilding a much cheaper side. The club's first flirtation with the High Court came in July 2000, when a debt to the Inland Revenue was paid off shortly before a scheduled winding-up petition hearing.<ref name=Derelictionp6/> Little's dismissal in September 2000 came as a surprise as, despite a poor start to the season, it followed a five-game unbeaten run that saw 'the Shrimpers' rise to 10th in the Third Division. He was replaced by [[David Webb (footballer)|David Webb]] on 2 October 2000,{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} soon after Ron Martin had taken over as chairman.<ref name="Conn-22Sep2000"/> The club then turned to [[Rob Newman (footballer)|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 F.C.|Blackpool]] in the [[2004 Football League Trophy final|2004 final]] of the [[Football League Trophy]] at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in [[Cardiff]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Lloyd|first=Grahame|title=Blackpool's Millennium bug|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/22/match.sport10|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 November 2011|date=22 March 2004}}</ref> Over 20,000 Southend fans travelled,<ref>{{cite web|title=Cardiff is Your Lasting Memory|url=http://www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~529078,00.html|publisher=Southend United FC|access-date=22 November 2011|date=17 November 2004}}</ref> but the team did not rise to the occasion and Blackpool won 2–0. Tilson then led Southend to promotion to League One in 2005, while making a second successive appearance in the [[2005 Football League Trophy final|Football League Trophy final]], which the Shrimpers lost 2–0 to [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Southend 0–2 Wrexham|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4423417.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 November 2011|date=10 April 2005}}</ref> but the third appearance at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in the [[2005 Football League Two play-off final|League Two play-off final]] against [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] brought success<ref>{{cite web|title=Lincoln City 0–2 Southend United|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/4573787.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 November 2011|date=28 May 2005}}</ref> 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 F.C.|Bristol City]] 1–0 at [[Roots Hall]] in front of over 11,000 fans - the club's first title in 25 years. Southend started the [[2006–07 in English football|2006–07]] season well 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 F.C.|Manchester United]] 1–0 in a [[League Cup]] fourth round tie, with [[Freddy Eastwood]] scoring the winner.<ref name="BBC-07Nov2006">{{cite news |title=Southend 1–0 Man Utd |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6116346.stm |access-date=10 January 2020 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=7 November 2006}}</ref> 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 in English football|2007–08]], qualifying for a [[play-off]] place. Against [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|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 2009–10 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. On 4 July 2010 manager [[Steve Tilson]] was put on gardening leave,<ref>{{cite web|title=Southend part with manager Steve Tilson|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/southend_utd/8786835.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 November 2011|date=4 July 2010}}</ref> ending his seven-year stint as manager.
=== 2010s === During the 2009–10 season, Southend faced two winding-up orders from [[HM Revenue and Customs]] over unpaid tax bills.<ref name=guardian20091027>{{cite web|title=Southend avoid winding up order but now face administration|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/oct/27/southend-hmrc-administration-hearing|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 November 2011|date=27 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Southend winding-up hearing adjourned for 28 days|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southend_utd/8507587.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 November 2011|date=10 February 2010}}</ref> 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 (association football)#Transfer bans|transfer embargo]] until they paid the money back.<ref>{{cite web|last=Phillips|first=Chris|title=Ron Martin explains PFA loan to cover wages at Southend United|url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/5051012.Martin_explains_PFA_loan_to_cover_wages/|publisher=Echo|access-date=22 November 2011|date=10 March 2010}}</ref> In March 2010 Southend were given a 35-day extension to pay the unpaid bill or face administration,<ref>{{cite web|title=Southend United get High Court extension to repay debts|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southend_utd/8559824.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 November 2011|date=10 March 2010}}</ref> and further seven day extension in April 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Southend United given a further week to pay off £400,000 tax bill|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/14/southend-tax-bill-hmrc|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 November 2011|date=14 April 2010}}</ref> On 20 April 2010 the bill was paid,<ref>{{cite web|title=Shrimpers settle tax debt|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11716_6104961,00.html|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=22 November 2011|date=20 April 2010}}</ref> and in August 2010 all actions against Southend United were dropped and an agreement was reached with HMRC.<ref>{{cite web|title=Southend United stave off administration|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/southend_utd/8878585.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 November 2011|date=2 August 2010}}</ref>
On 5 July 2010 former [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] and [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] manager, [[Paul Sturrock]] was announced as the new manager.<ref>{{cite web|title=Paul Sturrock named as new Southend United manager|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/southend_utd/8787730.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 July 2010}}</ref> 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 F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] 3–2 on aggregate.
[[File:Southend United at Wembley.jpg|thumb|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 F.C.|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 [[EFL Trophy|Football League Trophy]]. Paul Sturrock was sacked two weeks before the cup final. Nevertheless, the Blues took 33,000 fans to the [[2013 Football League Trophy final|match]], but lost 2–0 to Crewe Alexandra.<ref>{{cite news|last=Osborne|first=Chris|title=Crewe 2 – Southend 0|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21986344|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=8 April 2013}}</ref>
[[Phil Brown (footballer born 1959)|Phil Brown]] was brought in as Sturrock's successor. In 2015 Brown led the team, via a play-off final against [[Wycombe Wanderers]] (decided 7–6 on penalties), into [[EFL League One|League One]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Southend United v Wycombe Wanderers: League Two play-off final – as it happened|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2015/may/23/southend-united-wycombe-wanderers-league-two-play-off-final-live|publisher=The Guardian Online|access-date=30 July 2017|date=23 May 2015}}</ref> At the end of the 2016–17 season, the club missed the play-offs in League One by one point.<ref>{{cite web|title=League One: fans from all 24 clubs review their season |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/22/league-one-fans-24-clubs-review-season|publisher=The Guardian Online|access-date=30 July 2017|date=22 May 2017}}</ref> The following season, Southend finished 10th, but slipped to 19th at the end of the 2018–19 season, avoiding relegation on goal difference. On 22 October 2019, [[Sol Campbell]] was appointed manager of Southend.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50035674 |title=Sol Campbell: Southend United name ex-England defender as new manager |publisher=BBC News |date=22 October 2019 |access-date=22 October 2019}}</ref>
===2020–2024: Financial difficulties and double relegation=== {{main|Southend United F.C. financial crisis}}
Financial difficulties resulted in non-payment of Southend players' and other employees' wages several times during the 2019–20 season.<ref name="BBC-09Jan2020">{{cite news |date=9 January 2020 |title=Southend United players to meet with PFA over unpaid wages |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51053076 |access-date=9 January 2020 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name="BBC-03Mar2020">{{cite news |title=Southend United: PFA in touch with club over unpaid wages |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51718893 |access-date=5 March 2020 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=3 March 2020}}</ref> A HMRC winding-up petition was adjourned four times during 2020.<ref name="BBC-16Sep2020">{{cite news |title=Southend United winding-up petition adjourned for fourth time until 28 October |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54177652 |access-date=25 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=16 September 2020}}</ref> In April 2020, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]], Southend put "several staff and some players" on [[furlough]] under the [[Government of the United Kingdom's financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic#Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme|UK Government's emergency job retention scheme]] - a move criticised by the PFA who said the club had "consistently" let players down over wages.<ref name="BBC-22Apr2020">{{cite news |title=Southend United: PFA 'extremely disappointed' by handling of furloughing players |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52383265 |access-date=22 April 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2020}}</ref> On 9 June, EFL League One and Two clubs agreed to end the 2019–20 season; Southend were relegated to League Two.<ref name="BBC-09Jun2020">{{cite news |title=League One & League Two clubs vote to end seasons early |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52705124 |access-date=9 June 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 June 2020}}</ref> On 30 June 2020, manager Campbell left the club,<ref name="BBC-30Jun2020">{{cite news |title=Sol Campbell: Southend United manager leaves by mutual consent |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53234423 |access-date=30 June 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=30 June 2020}}</ref> to be later succeeded by [[Mark Molesley]]<ref name="BBC-13Aug2020">{{cite news |date=13 August 2020 |title=Mark Molesley: Southend United name Weymouth boss as new manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53769088 |access-date=25 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> and then Phil Brown,<ref name="BBC-09Apr2021">{{cite news |date=9 April 2021 |title=Mark Molesley: Southend United sack manager and bring in Phil Brown |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56687470 |access-date=9 April 2021 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref name="Echo-08Apr2021">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |date=8 April 2021 |title=Phil Brown set to make return to Southend United as Shrimpers battle to avoid relegation |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/19220136.phil-brown-set-make-return-southend-united-shrimpers-battle-avoid-relegation/ |access-date=9 April 2021 |work=Echo}}</ref> but Southend suffered a second successive relegation, dropping out of the Football League after 101 years.<ref name="BBC-01May2021">{{cite news |date=1 May 2021 |title=Barrow 1-2 Southend United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56869357 |access-date=1 May 2021 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref>
In October 2020, after the club settled tax debts of £493,931 with HMRC, a winding-up petition was dismissed by the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]].<ref name="BBC-28Oct2020">{{cite news |title=Southend United pay up £493,991 tax bill as winding-up petition dismissed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54718151 |access-date=29 October 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=28 October 2020}}</ref> In August 2021, Southend revealed their overall debt in July 2019 was £17.4M.<ref name="Echo-11Aug2021">{{cite news |title=Chairman Ron Martin plays down Southend United's debts |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/19507396.chairman-ron-martin-plays-southend-uniteds-debts/ |access-date=14 September 2021 |work=Echo |date=11 August 2021}}</ref> On 5 and 9 October 2021, Southend fans staged protests demanding Martin's departure.<ref name="BBC-05Oct2021">{{cite news |title=Ron Martin: Southend United fans protest against chairman during Eastleigh win |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58817873 |access-date=8 October 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=6 October 2021}}</ref> Brown was sacked in October,<ref>{{cite news |title=Phil Brown and Craig Fagan sacked by Southend following Chesterfield defeat |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/19637193.phil-brown-craig-fagan-sacked-southend-united-following-defeat-chesterfield/ |access-date=10 October 2021 |work=Southend Echo |date=9 October 2021}}</ref><ref name="BBC-09Oct2021">{{cite news |title=Southend United 0-4 Chesterfield |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58771069 |access-date=10 October 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 October 2021}}</ref> and was replaced by [[Kevin Maher]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2021/october/kevin-maher-announced-as-first-team-head-coach/|title=KEVIN MAHER ANNOUNCED AS FIRST TEAM HEAD COACH|website=www.southendunited.co.uk|date=20 October 2021}}</ref> Southend finished their first National League season in 13th position.<ref name="BBC-15May2022">{{cite news |title=Southend United 1-1 Torquay United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61368284 |access-date=16 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2022}}</ref>
In September 2022, the club was placed under a transfer embargo after a missed HMRC payment,<ref name="Phillips-30Sep2022">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Southend United placed under transfer embargo |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/22997704.southend-united-placed-transfer-embargo/ |access-date=3 October 2022 |work=Echo |date=30 September 2022}}</ref> and in October 2022, HMRC issued a winding-up petition. Wages in late 2022 and early 2023 were paid late.<ref name="Phillips-10Nov2022">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Southend United's Kevin Maher knows off-field issues can't be ignored |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23116507.southend-uniteds-kevin-maher-knows-off-field-issues-cant-ignored/ |access-date=11 November 2022 |work=Echo |date=10 November 2022}}</ref><ref name="BBC-01Dec2022">{{cite news |title=Southend United: National League side yet to pay non-playing staff after players paid late |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63824893 |access-date=3 December 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="BBC-01Jan2023">{{cite news |title=Southend United facing annual funding gap of 'about £2m', says CEO |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64139910 |access-date=1 January 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 January 2023}}</ref><ref name="Phillips-29Dec2022">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Southend United staff still waiting for November's wages |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23218665.southend-united-staff-still-waiting-novembers-wages/ |access-date=13 January 2023 |work=Echo |date=29 December 2022}}</ref> The January 2023 HMRC winding-up hearing was adjourned again, to 1 March 2023.<ref name="BBC-18Jan2023">{{cite news |title=Southend United: Winding-up petition hearing adjourned again until March |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64316801 |access-date=18 January 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 January 2023}}</ref> Less than 24 hours before the winding-up hearing, the club said it had paid the £1.4M tax bill,<ref name="BBC-28Feb2023">{{cite news |title=Southend United pay £1.4m HMRC bill before winding-up petition court date |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64799980 |access-date=28 February 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=28 February 2023}}</ref> and the winding-up petition was dismissed,<ref name="BBC-01Mar2023">{{cite news |title=Southend United: Court dismisses winding-up petition against National League club |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64809215 |access-date=1 March 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 March 2023}}</ref> but a transfer embargo remained in place.<ref name="Phillips-28Feb2023">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Southend United remain in transfer embargo |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23353445.southend-united-remain-transfer-embargo/ |access-date=28 February 2023 |work=Echo |date=28 February 2023}}</ref> The club finished their second National League season in 8th position; non-playing staff at the club had not been paid for the past two months.<ref name="BBC-30Apr2023">{{cite news |date=30 April 2023 |title=Southend United: Backroom staff awaiting pay for March and April |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65441752 |access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref>
On 17 March 2023, the club was put up for sale<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2023/march/club-statement/ |title=Southend United launch process to explore the sale of the Football Club or new Investment Partners |website=www.southendunited.co.uk |date=17 March 2023 |accessdate=17 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="BBC-17Mar2023">{{cite news |title=Southend United: Chairman Ron Martin reveals plans to sell the club |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64995097 |access-date=18 March 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 March 2023}}</ref> as its financial difficulties continued,<ref name="Phillips-06Apr2023">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Southend United address wages issue and urge fans to buy season cards |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23439768.southend-united-address-wages-issue-urge-fans-buy-season-cards/ |access-date=8 April 2023 |work=Echo |date=6 April 2023}}</ref><ref name="F365-07May2023">{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Ian |title=Can Southend United even survive this summer? The signs aren't good |url=https://www.football365.com/news/opinion-can-southend-united-even-survive-this-summer-the-signs-arent-good |access-date=12 May 2023 |work=Football365 |date=7 May 2023}}</ref> and on 4 May 2023 the club was served another HMRC winding-up petition—their 18th.<ref name="MacInnes-16May2023">{{cite news |last1=MacInnes |first1=Paul |title=As Southend face 18th winding-up petition, is there hope for the future? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/may/16/hearts-and-minds-campaign-looking-to-usher-new-era-to-southend-united |access-date=18 May 2023 |work=Guardian |date=16 May 2023}}</ref> The hearing was adjourned twice to give Martin more time to sell the club.<ref name="BBC-17May2023">{{cite news |date=17 May 2023 |title=Southend United: Winding-up petition against National League club adjourned until 12 July |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65620136 |access-date=18 May 2023 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref name="Farmer-18May2023">{{cite news |last1=Farmer |first1=Brian |date=18 May 2023 |title=Southend United given time to clear £275,000 tax debt |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/southend-united-customs-southend-hmrc-national-league-b2340625.html |access-date=23 May 2023 |work=Independent}}</ref><ref name="BBC-23Jul2023">{{cite news |date=12 July 2023 |title=Southend United: High Court gives club another 42 days to complete sale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66173807 |access-date=12 July 2023 |work=BBC News}}</ref> In July 2023, after repeated late payment of club staff wages,<ref name="BBC-05Jun2023">{{cite news |title=Southend United: 'Back of house' staff still unpaid after judge unfreezes bank account |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65812029 |access-date=5 June 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=5 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="Phillips-02Jul2023">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Players and staff wait for wages at Southend United |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23628279.players-staff-wait-wages-southend-united/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |work=Echo |date=2 July 2023}}</ref> players refused to resume pre-season training until they were paid.<ref name="Phillips-03Jul2023">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Southend United players halt pre-season training |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23631040.southend-united-players-halt-pre-season-training/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |work=Echo |date=3 July 2023}}</ref><ref name="Phillips-06Jul2023">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Southend United squad yet to resume pre-season training |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23638060.southend-united-squad-yet-resume-pre-season-training/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |work=Echo |date=6 July 2023}}</ref> While players were eventually paid, manager Maher and other backroom staff remained unpaid three days before the winding-up hearing, while club sale discussions were reportedly being held up by the stadium side of the transaction;<ref name="Phillips-09Jul2023">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Southend United players paid but club still in crisis |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23643671.southend-united-players-paid-club-still-crisis/ |access-date=9 July 2023 |work=Echo |date=9 July 2023}}</ref> Martin said he would sell his stake in the club for £1, but wanted £4.5M for Roots Hall. The club also needed £1M "in the short term" to settle its latest HMRC winding-up petition and lift a transfer embargo.<ref name="BBC-17Jul2023">{{cite news |title=Southend United: Ron Martin willing to accept £1 for shareholding and £4.5m for ground |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66228356 |access-date=18 July 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 July 2023}}</ref> Football debts were settled in July 2023, allowing the club to remain in the National League.<ref name="BBC-21Jul2023">{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Katy |last2=Harrison |first2=Sian |title=Southend United: Court allows club to pay £300k to stay in league |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-66271396 |access-date=22 July 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=21 July 2023}}</ref> However the HMRC debt was not paid in full leading to a 10 point deduction by the league.<ref name="NLstatement">{{cite web |date=23 August 2023 |title=National League Statement – Southend United |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-statement-southend-united-77656 |access-date=23 August 2023 |website=National League}}</ref><ref name="BBC-26Sep 2023">{{cite news |date=26 September 2023 |title=Southend United lose appeal against deduction of 10 points |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66923011 |access-date=26 September 2023 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref>
On 23 August 2023, the winding-up hearing was adjourned for a third and final time, to 4 October.<ref name="Phillips-23Aug2023">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |date=23 August 2023 |title=Southend United given final adjournment to pay off tax bill |work=Echo |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23741951.southend-united-given-final-adjournment-pay-off-tax-bill/ |access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref> In September 2023, the Justin Rees consortium said that two bids to Ron Martin had been rejected,<ref name="Rees-20Sep2023">{{cite news |title=Justin Rees provides update on his bid to buy Southend United |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23801596.justin-rees-provides-update-bid-buy-southend-united/ |access-date=20 September 2023 |work=Echo |date=20 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="BBC-20Sep2023">{{cite news |title=Southend United: Prospective buyers fear for administration after two bids knocked back |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66868571 |access-date=20 September 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 September 2023}}</ref> and fans staged further anti-Martin protests.<ref name="Phillips-23Sep2023">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Hundreds of Southend United fans protest against Ron Martin |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23809293.hundreds-southend-united-fans-protest-ron-martin/ |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=Echo |date=23 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="Shepard-25Sep2023">{{cite news |last1=Shepard |first1=Kit |title=Southend fans refusing to let club die |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/postcards-from-the-pyramid-fans-fight-for-southend-s-future-pjt6kxk0j |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=Times |date=25 September 2023}}</ref> In October 2023, the sale of the club to the Justin Rees consortium was agreed, but formal completion was repeatedly delayed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2023/october/03/club-statement--sale-of-the-club/|title=CLUB STATEMENT: SALE OF THE CLUB|website=www.southendunited.co.uk|date=3 October 2023|accessdate=3 October 2023}}</ref><ref name="BBC-21Oct2023">{{cite news |title=Southend United: Sale of National League side delayed by 'legal formalities' |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67168694 |access-date=21 October 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=21 October 2023}}</ref><ref name="BBC-15Nov2023">{{cite news |title=Southend Utd takeover deal 'close', consortium confirms |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-67420502 |access-date=16 November 2023 |work=BBC News |date=15 November 2023}}</ref> The deal was announced the day before the High Court hearing of HMRC's winding-up petition, the HMRC debt was paid,<ref name="BBC-03Oct2023a">{{cite news |title=Southend United: National League club agree takeover by Australian-led consortium |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66992758 |access-date=4 October 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=3 October 2023}}</ref> and the winding-up petition was duly dismissed.<ref name="Phillips-04Oct2023">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Southend United's winding up order dismissed at High Court |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23832718.southend-uniteds-winding-order-dismissed-high-court/ |access-date=4 October 2023 |work=Echo |date=4 October 2023}}</ref> In December 2023, Martin and the Rees consortium exchanged contracts for the sale of the club, and, after 15 months, Southend's transfer embargo was lifted.<ref name="BBC-28Dec2023">{{cite news |date=28 December 2023 |title=Southend United have transfer embargo lifted with takeover pending |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67834004 |access-date=28 December 2023 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Southend finished the [[2023–24 National League]] season in 9th place.<ref name="BBC-22Apr2024">{{cite news |title=Southend boss Maher proud despite missing play-offs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cld0n4z9216o |access-date=30 April 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2024}}</ref>
Another winding-up petition hearing was held on 15 May, when the consortium and Martin sought a six-week adjournment.<ref name="Phillips-08May2024">{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |date=8 May 2024 |title=Southend United deal will not complete before winding up hearing |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/24307238.southend-united-deal-will-not-complete-winding-hearing/ |access-date=8 May 2024 |work=Echo}}</ref><ref name="BBC-13May2024">{{cite news |date=13 May 2024 |title=Southend winding-up case to be adjourned again |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c0dee13mx81o |access-date=13 May 2024 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> The club was given six weeks to settle with creditors or face liquidation.<ref name="BBC-15May2024">{{cite news |last1=Aloia |first1=Andrew |title=Southend winding-up petition adjournment confirmed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx9w97lwrv2o |access-date=15 May 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2024}}</ref>
===2024–present: COSU ownership=== As a consequence of the unresolved winding-up order, Southend were placed under a fresh transfer embargo.<ref name="BBC-17May2024">{{cite news |title=Southend placed under new transfer embargo |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/crgyl2zwy84o |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2024}}</ref> Settlements were agreed with creditors,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Phllips |first1=Chris |title=Stewarts Law agree settlement with Southend United |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/24409954.stewarts-law-agree-settlement-southend-united/ |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=Echo |date=25 June 2024}}</ref> the winding-up petition was dismissed in the High Court,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-26 |title=Live from the High Court: Southend United's winding up petition dismissed |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/24412125.southend-uniteds-winding-petition-dismissed/ |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=Echo |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Larsen-Wright |first1=Tom |title=Southend United winding up petition dismissed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0082p4r9no |access-date=26 June 2024 |work=BBC News |date=26 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Aarons |first1=Ed |title='Beyond the 11th hour': Southend United avoid winding-up order |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/jun/26/beyond-11th-hour-southend-avoid-winding-up-order |access-date=30 June 2024 |work=Guardian |date=26 June 2024}}</ref> and on 19 July 2024, the COSU consortium headed by Justin Rees completed its takeover of Southend United.<ref name="BBC-19Jul2024">{{cite news |title=Rees consortium completes Southend takeover |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cedxldzgyw7o |access-date=19 July 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=19 July 2024}}</ref>
On the pitch, Southend finished the [[2024–25 National League]] season in the play-off places, eventually meeting [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] in the [[2025 National League play-off final|final]] at [[Wembley Stadium]] but lost 3–2 after extra time.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoad |first1=Alex |title=Oldham Athletic Oldham Athletic 3–2 Southend United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ce826ndj649t |access-date=2 June 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 June 2025}}</ref> The following season, [[2025–26 National League|2025–26]], Southend reached the [[FA Trophy]] final and again finished in the National League play-off places,<ref>{{cite news |title=No let-up from Southend after reaching play-offs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4g440pknypo |access-date=17 April 2026 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 April 2026}}</ref> but lost their qualifying match against [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Scunthorpe United 1-0 Southend United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c4g4ng75npyt |access-date=30 April 2026 |work=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2026}}</ref> On 17 May 2026, Southend returned to Wembley and beat [[Wealdstone F.C.|Wealdstone]] in a penalty shootout to win the FA Trophy.<ref name=BBCFAT>{{cite news |title=Southend United 0-0 Wealdstone |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c172wkrzz74t |access-date=17 May 2026 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2026}}</ref> Two days later, head coach Kevin Maher plus coaching staff [[Darren Currie]] and [[Mark Bentley]] were sacked following a review of the 2025–26 season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGinnes |first1=Ross |title=Southend sack Maher two days after Wembley win |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvgz8vglrm2o |access-date=19 May 2026 |work=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2026}}</ref>
==Club identity== Tables of kit suppliers and shirt sponsors appear below:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Southend_United/Southend_United.htm | title = Southend United: Historical Kits }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Years ! Kit manufacturer ! Shirt sponsor |- |1975–1978 |Admiral | Motor Plan |- | 1978–1981 | rowspan="4"| [[Bukta]] | Charterhouse |- | 1983–1984 | Motor Plan |- | 1985–1986 | Laing |- | 1986–1988 | rowspan="2"|Firholm |- |1988–1990 |rowspan="2"|Spall |- |1990–1991 |rowspan="2"|Hi-Tec |- |1991–1992 | rowspan=4|Beaver |- | 1992–1994 | [[Elonex]] |- | 1994–1995 | Crevette |- | 1995–1996 | United Artists |- | 1996–1998 |rowspan="2"|Olympic Sportswear | [[Telewest|Telewest Communications]] |- | 1998–1999 | rowspan="2"|Progressive Printing |- |1999–2000 |Rossco |- | 2000–2001 |Pier Sport | Rebus (Home) <br>Wyndham Plastics (Away) |- |2001–2002 |Hi-Tec | Rebus |- | 2002–2003 |Sport House | Martin Dawn |- | 2003–2004 |rowspan="7"|[[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] | GKC Communications (Home)<br>Wyndham Plastics (Away) |- | 2004–2006 | Betterview Windows and Conservatories |- | 2006–2014 | InsureandGo |- | 2014–2017 | Martin Dawn |- | 2017–2018 | The Amy May Trust |- | 2018–2019 | [[Prostate Cancer UK]] |- | 2019–2020 | [[Paddy Power]] |- | 2020–2021 |rowspan="1"|[[Hummel International|Hummel]] | Watchlotto.com |- | 2021–2022 | rowspan="4"|[[Macron (sportswear)|Macron]] | Trade Price Cars |- | 2022–2023 | PG Site Services |- | 2023–2024 | Solopress |- | 2024–2026 | [[c2c]]<ref>{{cite web | last=Augustyniak | first=Susan | title=Rail operator c2c announced as Southend United's new shirt sponsor | website=c2c | date=2024-07-25 | url=https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/rail-operator-c2c-announced-as-southend-uniteds-new-shirt-sponsor/ | publisher=[[c2c]] |access-date=2024-07-25}}</ref> |}
==Grounds== {{Main|Kursaal (amusement park)|Southend Stadium|Roots Hall|Fossetts Farm Stadium}}
The club has played its home games at five grounds: the original Roots Hall, the [[Kursaal (amusement park)|Kursaal]], the [[Southend Stadium]], the rented [[New Writtle Street Stadium]] (home of [[Chelmsford City F.C.|Chelmsford City]]) and again at [[Roots Hall]].<ref name="Mason">{{Cite book |title=Southend United: The Official History of the Blues |isbn=978-0955597602 |last=Mason |first=Peter|year=2007 |publisher=Shrimper Publishing, Limited }}</ref>
Roots Hall was the first stadium that the club owned and was built on the site of their original home, albeit at a lower level. The site previous to Southend purchasing it in 1952 had been used as a sand quarry, by the council as a [[landfill]] site and by the local gas board (which was convinced to move to Progress Road).<ref name="Mason" /> The stadium was built by Sid Broomfield and a small band of individuals at a cost of £73,997, supported by a small grant from the FA and funds raised by the Supporters Club. Following construction, the ground was donated to the club by the fans.<ref name=Derelictionp12>Shrimpers Trust (2023) ''[https://www.shrimperstrust.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Dereliction-Decline-The-story-of-Southend-United-under-Ron-Martin.pdf Dereliction & Decline: The story of Southend United under Ron Martin]'', p.12 Accessed: 5 October 2023.</ref>
It took 10 years to fully complete the building of Roots Hall. The first game was played on 20 August 1955, a 3–1 [[Football League Third Division South|Division Three (South)]] victory over [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] (attendance 12,190), but the ground was far from complete.<ref name="Mason" /> The main East Stand had barely been fitted and ran along only 50 yards of the touchline, and only a few steps of terracing encircled the ground, with the North, West and the huge South Bank still largely unconcreted. The North Stand had a single-barrelled roof which ran only the breadth of the penalty area, and the West Bank was covered at its rear only by a similar structure.<ref name="Mason" />
Although the ground was unfinished, during the inaugural season this was the least of the club's worries, for the pitch at Roots Hall showed the consequences of having been laid on top of thousands of tonnes of compacted rubbish. Drainage was a problem, and the wet winter turned the ground into a quagmire. The pitch was completely re-laid in the summer of 1956 and a proper drainage system, which is still in place, was constructed, and the West Bank roof was extended to reach the touchline, creating a unique double-barrelled structure.<ref name="Mason" />
The terracing was completed soon after, but the task of completely terracing all 72 steps of the South Bank was not completed until 1964. The North Bank roof was extended in the early 1960s, and the East Stand was extended to run the full length of the pitch in 1966. [[Floodlights (sport)|Floodlight]]s were also installed during this period. Roots Hall was designed to hold 35,000 spectators, with over 15,000 on the South Bank alone, but the highest recorded attendance at the ground is 31,090 for an [[FA Cup]] third round tie with [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in January 1979.<ref name="Mason" />
Until 1988 Roots Hall was still the newest ground in the Football League, but then the ground saw a significant change. United had hit bad times in the mid-1980s and new chairman Vic Jobson sold virtually all of the South Bank for development, leaving just a tiny block of 15 steps.<ref name="Mason" /> In 1994, seats were installed onto the original terracing, and a second tier was added. The West Bank had already become seated in 1992 upon United's elevation to [[Football League Second Division|Division Two]] while the East Stand paddock also received a new seating deck, bolted and elevated from the terracing below. In 1995 the Gilbert & Rose West Stand roof was extended to meet up with the North and South Stands, with seating installed in each corner, thus giving the Roots Hall its current form, with a capacity of just under 12,500.<ref>[http://www.southendunited.co.uk/page/RootsHall/0,,10444,00.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212163637/http://www.southendunited.co.uk/page/RootsHall/0,,10444,00.html|date=12 February 2012}}</ref>
On 24 January 2007, [[Southend-on-Sea Borough Council|Southend Borough Council]] unanimously agreed to give [[planning permission]] for a new 22,000-seater stadium at the proposed [[Fossetts Farm Stadium|Fossetts Farm]] site, with [[Rochford District|Rochford District Council]] following suit 24 hours later. The application was subsequently submitted to [[Ruth Kelly]], then [[Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government]], for government approval. However, the application was "called in" at the beginning of April 2007. The inquiry began in September 2007, followed in October 2007 by a "final" inquiry, when chairman [[Ron Martin (businessman)|Ron Martin]] called for supporters to show in numbers at Southend's local government headquarters. On 6 March 2008, permission to develop Fossetts Farm was given by the government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/13791169.Tower_blocks_to_be_focal_point_of_new_Fossetts_Farm_development/|title=Tower blocks to be focal point of new Fossetts Farm development – Evening Echo p.30 Sept 2015|date=30 September 2015 |access-date=24 November 2016}}</ref> However, it took a further 12 years before firm plans emerged for the development; in April 2020, a deal was agreed between Southend United, the borough council and social housing provider Citizen Housing.<ref name="BBC-03Apr2020">{{cite news |title=Southend United: Deal struck for long-awaited new stadium |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-52152238 |access-date=22 April 2020 |work=BBC |publisher=BBC |date=3 April 2020}}</ref> Plans were approved in October 2021, subject to Government approval anticipated in early 2022; the 22,000-capacity stadium would incorporate a 107-bed hotel and high-rise residential blocks of 182 homes on two corners.<ref name="Morby-26Oct2021">{{cite news |last1=Morby |first1=Aaron |title=Go-ahead for 22,000-seat Southend FC stadium |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2021/10/26/go-ahead-for-22000-seat-southend-fc-stadium/ |access-date=27 October 2021 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=26 October 2021}}</ref>
In September 2022, after the club had been unable to get a hotel operator on board, plans to build a hotel at the proposed new stadium were dropped in favour of 42 additional homes, taking the total to 224 homes. A revised planning application also outlined plans to lower the stadium capacity to 16,226 seats.<ref name="Sexton-22Sep2022">{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Chris |title=Southend United new stadium's hotel plans ditched |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/southend/22481110.southend-united-new-stadiums-hotel-plans-ditched/ |access-date=22 February 2023 |work=Echo |date=22 September 2022}}</ref> In February 2023, applications for the additional homes and smaller stadium were both still to be decided by Southend Council as information had not been provided by the club.<ref name="BBC-20Feb2023">{{cite news |title=Southend United: Council says lack of information delaying new stadium plans |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-64703464 |access-date=22 February 2023 |work=BBC News |date=20 February 2023}}</ref> Scaled-back plans for the ground were eventually submitted to the council in late March 2023.<ref name="England-24Mar2023">{{cite news |last1=England |first1=Sophie |title=Southend United stadium plans submitted to council |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/23407972.southend-united-stadium-plans-submitted-council/ |access-date=24 March 2023 |work=Echo |date=24 March 2023}}</ref>
In September 2023, the Justin Rees consortium buying the club highlighted "the non-viability of a new stadium at Fossetts Farm" and proposed Martin should develop Fossetts Farm without a new stadium requirement.<ref name="Rees-20Sep2023"/> In October 2023, following agreement on the club's sale to the consortium (the deal was completed in July 2024), the club was set to remain at Roots Hall, with the 500 homes once planned for the site now transferred to Fossetts Farm.<ref name="Sexton-04Oct2023">{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Christine |date=4 October 2023 |title=Southend United agreement 'to see club stay at Roots Hall' |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/23831800.southend-united-agreement-to-see-club-stay-roots-hall/ |access-date=4 October 2023 |work=Echo}}</ref> In June 2025, the club appointed AFL Architects to work on redeveloping Roots Hall, seeking a 'community-driven transformation' of the ground.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Spocchia |first1=Gino |title=AFL Architects replaces Populous on Southend United redevelopment |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/afl-architects-replaces-populous-on-southend-united-redevelopment |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=Architects' Journal |date=4 July 2025}}</ref>
==Rivalries== ===Colchester United=== {{Main|Essex derby}}
[[File:Southend Players taunt colchester fans.jpg|thumb|Southend players]] The club has an intense local rivalry with fellow [[Essex]] side [[Colchester United F.C.|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 [[2003–04 Football League Trophy|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 (association football)|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 34 wins for Southend, 30 wins for Colchester, and 17 draws.<ref name="11v11">{{Cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/southend-united/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Colchester%20United/|title=Southend United football club: record v Colchester United|website=www.11v11.com|access-date=10 November 2020}}</ref> The most recent match, and the largest Essex derby victory, was on 10 November 2020, when Colchester beat Southend 6–1 at the Community Stadium in an EFL Trophy group stage match.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/colchester-vs-southend/428796 |title=Colchester 6–1 Southend |date=10 November 2020 |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=10 November 2020 }}</ref><ref name="match10112020">{{cite web |url=https://www.coludata.co.uk/item.php?pg=match&pd=1022&it=4281 |title=Colchester Utd 6–1 Southend United |date=10 November 2020 |publisher=Coludata.co.uk |access-date=10 November 2020 }}</ref>
===Leyton Orient=== There is also a fierce rivalry between Southend and [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]], which arises from the time between 1998 and 2005, when the Essex club were Orient's geographically closest league rivals.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}} 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.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://thechriswhitingshow.wordpress.com/2012/08/28/2012-football-rivalry-census-results/ | title = Football Rivalry Survey 2012–13 | date = 28 August 2012 }}</ref>
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 Stadium|Wembley]] in the final against [[Crewe Alexandra]].
==Players==
===Current squad=== {{updated|10 March 2026}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2021/august/2122-squad-numbers-confirmed/ |title=First Team - Southend United |publisher=Southend United FC Official Site |access-date=7 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2023/september/squad-update/|title= Squad Update|publisher=Southend United FC Official Site |access-date=19 September 2023}}</ref>
{{fs start}} {{fs player|no=6|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Ben Goodliffe]]|other=}} {{fs player|no=7|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Jack Bridge]]|other=in negotiations}} {{fs player|no=10|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Sam Austin]]|other=}} {{fs player|no=15|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Joe Gubbins]]|other=in negotiations}} {{fs player|no=16|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Harry Taylor (footballer, born 1997)|Harry Taylor]]|other=}} {{fs player|no=18|nat=BUL|pos=FW|name=[[Slavi Spasov]]|other=}} {{fs player|no=19|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Leon Chambers-Parillon]]|other=}} {{fs player|no=21|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=[[Harry Cardwell]]|other=}} {{fs mid}} {{fs player|no=22|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Keenan Appiah-Forson]]|other=in negotiations}} {{fs player|no=24|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Charley Kendall]]}} {{fs player|no=28|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Oli Coker]]|other=}} {{fs player|no=30|nat=ITA|pos=GK|name=Collin Andeng-Ndi|other=in negotiations}} {{fs player|no=32|nat=FIN|pos=GK|name=[[Anssi Jaakkola]]|other=goalkeeper coach}} {{fs player|no=33|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Harry Boyes (footballer)|Harry Boyes]]|other=}} {{fs end}}
===Player of the Year=== {{more citations needed section|date=November 2024}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em|small=yes}} * 1965–66 [[Tony Bentley]] * 1966–67 [[Trevor Roberts (footballer)|Trevor Roberts]] * 1967–68 [[Billy Best]] * 1968–69 [[John Kurila]] * 1969–70 [[Billy Best]] * 1970–71 [[Alex Smith (footballer, born 1947)|Alex Smith]] * 1971–72 [[Brian Albeson]] & [[Bill Garner (footballer)|Bill Garner]] * 1972–73 [[Terry Johnson (footballer)|Terry Johnson]] * 1973–74 [[Chris Guthrie]] * 1974–75 [[Alan Moody]] * 1975–76 [[Alan Little (footballer)|Alan Little]] * 1976–77 [[Andy Ford (English footballer)|Andy Ford]] * 1977–78 [[Colin Morris (footballer)|Colin Morris]] * 1978–79 [[Ron Pountney]] * 1979–80 [[Ron Pountney]] * 1980–81 [[Derek Spence]] * 1981–82 [[Dave Cusack]] * 1982–83 [[Ron Pountney]] * 1983–84 [[Micky Stead]] * 1984–85 [[Steve Phillips (footballer, born 1954)|Steve Phillips]] * 1985–86 [[Richard Cadette]] * 1986–87 [[Jim Stannard]] * 1987–88 [[Dave Martin (footballer, born 1963)|Dave Martin]] * 1988–89 [[David Crown]] * 1989–90 [[Paul Sansome]] * 1990–91 [[Peter Butler (footballer, born 1966)|Peter Butler]] * [[1991–92 Southend United F.C. season|1991–92]] [[Brett Angell]] * 1992–93 [[Stan Collymore]] * 1993–94 [[Chris Powell]] * 1994–95 [[Ronnie Whelan]] * [[1995–96 Southend United F.C. season|1995–96]] [[Simon Royce]] * [[1996–97 Southend United F.C. season|1996–97]] [[Keith Dublin]] * [[1997–98 Southend United F.C. season|1997–98]] [[Julian Hails]] * [[1998–99 Southend United F.C. season|1998–99]] [[Mark Beard (footballer)|Mark Beard]] * 1999–2000 [[Nathan Jones (Welsh footballer)|Nathan Jones]] * 2000–01 [[Kevin Maher]] * 2001–02 [[Darryl Flahavan]] * [[2002–03 Southend United F.C. season|2002–03]] [[Leon Cort]] * 2003–04 [[Mark Gower]] * 2004–05 [[Adam Barrett]] * [[2005–06 Southend United F.C. season|2005–06]] [[Freddy Eastwood]] * [[2006–07 Southend United F.C. season|2006–07]] [[Kevin Maher]] * [[2007–08 Southend United F.C. season|2007–08]] [[Nicky Bailey]] * [[2008–09 Southend United F.C. season|2008–09]] [[Peter Clarke (footballer)|Peter Clarke]] * [[2009–10 Southend United F.C. season|2009–10]] [[Simon Francis (footballer)|Simon Francis]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-05-18 |title=Francis honours at trust's awards |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/8171074.southend-uniteds-simon-francis-honours-at-trusts-awards/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Echo |language=en}}</ref> * [[2010–11 Southend United F.C. season|2010–11]] [[Chris Barker]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Chris |date=2011-05-02 |title=Barker hopes for more |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/9002711.southend-uniteds-chris-barker-hopes-for-more/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Echo |language=en}}</ref> * [[2011–12 Southend United F.C. season|2011–12]] [[Mark Phillips (footballer)|Mark Phillips]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Chris |date=2012-05-08 |title=Phillips: Player prize is great - but I want promotion too |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/9693755.southend-uniteds-mark-phillips-player-prize-is-great-but-i-want-promotion-too/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Echo |language=en}}</ref> * [[2012–13 Southend United F.C. season|2012–13]] [[Sean Clohessy]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/290413-sean-clohessy-poty-797943.aspx |title=Sean's delight at POTY award |website=Southend United FC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515161241/http://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/290413-sean-clohessy-poty-797943.aspx |date=29 April 2013 |archive-date=15 May 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref> * [[2013–14 Southend United F.C. season|2013–14]] [[Ryan Leonard]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Chris |date=2014-05-04 |title=Southend United's Ryan Leonard: Winning player of the year surpasses all other highs this season |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/11191698.southend-uniteds-ryan-leonard-winning-player-of-the-year-surpasses-all-other-highs-this-season/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Echo |language=en}}</ref> * [[2014–15 Southend United F.C. season|2014–15]] [[Dan Bentley (footballer)|Dan Bentley]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2015/april/news-season-awards-review-from-saturdays-game/ |title=News: Season awards review from Saturday's game |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816012942/https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2015/april/news-season-awards-review-from-saturdays-game/ |website=Southend United FC |date=27 April 2015 |archive-date=16 August 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref> * [[2015–16 Southend United F.C. season|2015–16]] [[Ryan Leonard]] * [[2016–17 Southend United F.C. season|2016–17]] [[Ryan Leonard]] * [[2017–18 Southend United F.C. season|2017–18]] [[Mark Oxley]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2018/may/end-of-season-awards--lap-of-appreciation/|title=End of Season Awards & Lap of Appreciation}}</ref> * [[2018–19 Southend United F.C. season|2018–19]] [[Simon Cox (footballer, born 1987)|Simon Cox]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-06 |title=Simon Cox wins Southend United's end of season awards |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/17621791.simon-cox-wins-southend-uniteds-end-season-awards/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Echo |language=en}}</ref> * [[2019–20 Southend United F.C. season|2019–20]] [[Elvis Bwomono]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/18527319.southend-united-defender-elvis-bwomono-thrilled-win-player-year-vote/ |title=Southend United defender Elvis Bwomono thrilled to win player of the year vote |first=Chris |last=Phillips |website=Southend Echo |date=18 June 2020 |access-date=12 November 2024}}</ref> * [[2020–21 Southend United F.C. season|2020–21]] [[Shaun Hobson]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57255824 |title=Shaun Hobson: Southend United centre-back signs new two-year deal |website=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2021 |access-date=11 November 2024}}</ref> * [[2021–22 Southend United F.C. season|2021–22]] [[Steve Arnold (footballer, born 1989)|Steve Arnold]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 May 2022 |title=Arnold wins 21/22 Player of the Season |url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2022/may/arnold-wins-2122-player-of-the-season/ |access-date=11 November 2024 |website=southendunited.co.uk}}</ref> * [[2022–23 Southend United F.C. season|2022–23]] [[Cav Miley]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Southend United midfielder Cav Miley left with mixed emotions |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/23493431.southend-united-midfielder-cav-miley-left-mixed-emotions/ |access-date=11 November 2024 |work=Echo |date=1 May 2023}}</ref> * 2023–24 [[Gus Scott-Morriss]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/24447662.southend-united-star-gus-scott-morriss-signs-new-contract/ |title=Southend United star Gus Scott-Morriss signs new contract |quote=Scott-Morriss won Blues' player of the year last season after a series of impressive performances |website=Basildon Canvey Southend Echo |date=12 July 2024 |access-date=11 November 2024}}</ref> * 2024–25 [[Gus Scott-Morriss]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Chris |date=2025-04-30 |title=Who won what at the Shrimpers' end of season awards night |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/25126082.won-southend-uniteds-end-season-awards-night/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Echo |language=en}}</ref>{{div col end}}
==Club officials==
=== Executive === {| class="wikitable" !Position !Name |- |Chairman |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Justin Rees |- |Chief Executive Officer |{{Flagicon|ENG}} ''vacant'' |- | rowspan="7" |Board of Directors |{{Flagicon|AUS}} Justin Rees |- |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Jason Brown |- |{{Flagicon|ENG}} David Kreyling |- |{{Flagicon|ENG}} John Watson |- |{{Flagicon|USA}} Shivaas Gulati |}
=== Football department === {| class="wikitable" !Position !Name |- |Head coach | ''vacant'' |- |Assistant Head Coach | ''vacant'' |- |First Team Coach | ''vacant'' |- |Head of Performance |{{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Wayne Andrews (footballer)|Wayne Andrews]] |- |Head Goalkeeper Coach |{{Flagicon|FIN}} [[Anssi Jaakkola]] |- |Director of Football |{{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Oliver Gage]] |- |Head of Medical |{{Flagicon|ENG}} John Gowens |- |Head of Recruitment |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Jonathan Duckett |- |First Team Analyst |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Jack Wilson |- |First Team Recruitment Analyst |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Matthew Andersen |- |Kit Manager |{{Flagicon|ENG}} Ian Derrick |} Source:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Club Contacts and Directory |url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/club/clubcontacts |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=southend united fc |language=en}}</ref>
=== Managerial history === Sources:<ref name="FY19201"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.managerstats.co.uk/clubs/southend-united/|title=Southend United Manager Statistics - ManagerStats.co.uk|website=www.managerstats.co.uk}}</ref> {{div col|colwidth=20em|small=yes}} * 1906–1910 [[Bob Jack]] * 1910–1911 [[George Molyneux]] * 1911–1912 [[O.M. Howard]] * 1912–1919 [[Joe Bradshaw (footballer)|Joe Bradshaw]] * 1919–1920 [[Ned Liddle]] * 1920–1921 [[Tom Mather]] * 1921–1934 [[Ted Birnie]] * 1934–1940 [[David Jack (footballer)|David Jack]] * 1946–1956 [[Harry Warren (footballer)|Harry Warren]] * 1956–1960 [[Eddie Perry (footballer)|Eddie Perry]] * 1960 [[Frank Broome]] * 1961–1965 [[Ted Fenton]] * 1965–1967 [[Alvan Williams]] * 1967–1969 [[Ernie Shepherd (footballer)|Ernie Shepherd]] * 1969–1970 [[Geoff Hudson]] * 1970–1976 [[Arthur Rowley]] * 1976–1983 [[Dave Smith (footballer, born 1933)|Dave Smith]] * 1983–1984 [[Peter Morris (English footballer)|Peter Morris]] * 1984–1986 [[Bobby Moore]] * 1986–1987 [[David Webb (footballer)|David Webb]] * 1987 [[Dick Bate]] * 1987–1988 [[Paul Clark (footballer)|Paul Clark]] * 1988–1992 [[David Webb (footballer)|David Webb]] * 1992–1993 [[Colin Murphy (footballer, born 1950)|Colin Murphy]] * 1993 [[Barry Fry]] * 1993–1995 [[Peter Taylor (footballer, born 1953)|Peter Taylor]] * 1995 [[Steve Thompson (footballer, born 1955)|Steve Thompson]] * 1995–1997 [[Ronnie Whelan]] * 1997–1999 [[Alvin Martin]] * 1999 [[Mick Gooding]] * 1999–2000 [[Alan Little (footballer)|Alan Little]] * 2000 [[Mick Gooding]] * 2000–2001 [[David Webb (footballer)|David Webb]] * 2001–2003 [[Rob Newman (footballer)|Rob Newman]] * 2003 [[Stewart Robson]] * 2003 [[Steve Wignall]] * 2003–2010 [[Steve Tilson]] * 2010–2013 [[Paul Sturrock]] * 2013–2018 [[Phil Brown (footballer, born 1959)|Phil Brown]] * 2018–2019 [[Chris Powell]] * 2019 [[Kevin Bond (English footballer)|Kevin Bond]] * 2019 [[Gary Waddock]] (interim) * 2019–2020 [[Sol Campbell]] * 2020–2021 [[Mark Molesley]] * 2021 [[Phil Brown (footballer, born 1959)|Phil Brown]] * 2021–2026 [[Kevin Maher]] {{div col end}}
==Club records== *Best [[FA Cup]] performance: Fifth round, [[1920–21 FA Cup|1920–21]], [[1925–26 FA Cup|1925–26]], [[1951–52 FA Cup|1951–52]], [[1975–76 FA Cup|1975–76]], [[1992–93 FA Cup|1992–93]]<ref name="Recs">{{cite web|url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/club/history |title=Club History and Honours |website=Southend United FC |access-date=5 October 2023}}</ref> *Best [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] performance: Quarter-finals, [[2006–07 Football League Cup|2006–07]]<ref name="Recs"/> *Best [[EFL Trophy|League Trophy]] performance: Final, [[2003–04 Football League Trophy|2003–04]], [[2004–05 Football League Trophy|2004–05]], [[2012–13 Football League Trophy|2012–13]]<ref name="Recs"/> *Best [[FA Trophy]] performance: Winners, [[2025–26 FA Trophy|2025–26]]<ref name=BBCFAT/> *Largest victory: 10–1 vs. [[Hendon F.C.|Golders Green]], [[FA Cup]], 24 November 1934; 10–1 vs. [[Brentwood Town F.C.|Brentwood]], [[FA Cup]], 7 December 1968; 10–1 vs. [[Aldershot F.C.|Aldershot]], [[Football League Trophy]], 6 November 1990<ref name="FY1920"/> *Largest defeat: 9–1 vs. [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]], [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]], 27 November 1965; 8–0 vs. [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] second round, 25 September 1990<ref name="FY1920"/> *Highest attendance: 31,033 vs. [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], [[FA Cup]], 10 January 1979<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/club/history/ |title=History - The Seventies |publisher=Southend United FC |access-date=17 May 2023}}</ref> *Highest league attendance: 21,020 vs. [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]], [[Football League Third Division South]], 9 September 1955 *Lowest attendance: 641 vs. [[Brighton and Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton and Hove Albion U23s]], [[EFL Trophy]], 1 October 2019 *Most points in a season (two points for a win): 67, 1980–81, Fourth Division<ref name="FY19201">{{cite book |first1=John |last1=Anderson |title=Football Yearbook 2019–20 |year=2019 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-6111-3 |pages=335}}</ref> *Most points in a season (three points for a win): 85, 1990–91, Third Division<ref name="FY19201"/> *Fewest points in a season: 19, [[2019–20 Southend United F.C. season|2019–20]], [[EFL League One]] (season shortened due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]]) *Most appearances in total: [[Alan Moody]] (506 – 1972–1984)<ref name="SUFCrecords">{{cite news|url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/club/history/ |title=History - Club Honours |publisher=Southend United FC |access-date=17 May 2023}}</ref> *Most league appearances: [[Sandy Anderson (footballer)|Sandy Anderson]] (452 – 1950–1963)<ref name="FY19201"/> *Most goals in total: [[Roy Hollis (footballer)|Roy Hollis]] (135 – 1954–1960)<ref name="SUFCrecords"/> *Consecutive league wins: 8 (29 August 2005 – 9 October 2005)<ref name="FY19201"/>
==Honours== Sources:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southendunited.co.uk/page/HistoryDetail/0,,10444~1028525,00.html|title=CLUB HONOURS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203155743/http://www.southendunited.co.uk/page/HistoryDetail/0,,10444~1028525,00.html|archive-date=3 December 2008|publisher=Southend United F.C.}}</ref><ref name="FY1920">{{cite book |first1=John |last1=Anderson |title=Football Yearbook 2019–20 |year=2019 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-6111-3 |pages=334}}</ref>
'''League''' *[[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] / [[Football League One|League One]] (level 3) **'''Champions''': [[2005–06 Football League One|2005–06]] **Runners-up: [[1990–91 Football League Third Division|1990–91]] *[[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] / [[Football League Two|League Two]] (level 4) **'''Champions''': [[1980–81 Football League Fourth Division|1980–81]] **Runners-up: [[1971–72 Football League Fourth Division|1971–72]], [[1977–78 Football League Fourth Division|1977–78]] **Promoted: [[1986–87 Football League Fourth Division|1986–87]], [[1989–90 Football League#Fourth Division|1989–90]] **Play-off winners: [[2005 Football League play-offs#League Two|2005]], [[2015 Football League play-offs#League Two|2015]] *[[Southern Football League|Southern League Second Division]] **'''Champions''': [[1906–07 Southern Football League|1906–07]], [[1907–08 Southern Football League|1907–08]] **Runners-up: [[1912–13 Southern Football League|1912–13]]
'''Cup''' *[[EFL Trophy|Football League Trophy]] **Runners-up: [[2003–04 Football League Trophy|2003–04]], [[2004–05 Football League Trophy|2004–05]], [[2012–13 Football League Trophy|2012–13]] *[[FA Trophy]] **'''Winners''': [[2025–26 FA Trophy|2025–26]] *Essex Professional Cup **'''Winners''': 1949–50, 1952–53, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1961–62, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1971–72, 1972–73 *[[Essex Senior Cup]] **'''Winners''': 1982–83, 1990–91, 1996–97, 2007–08 * Essex Thameside Trophy **'''Winners''': 1990
==References== {{Notelist}} {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{Official website|}} *{{BBC football info|southend-united}}
{{Southend United F.C.}} {{EFL Championship}} {{EFL League One}} {{EFL League Two}} {{National League (English football)}} {{Former English Football League clubs}} {{Authority control}}
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