FM12: Southend United

[Ricky Button]

SOUTHEND UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

Southend United's club badge, first team and two mascots.

Southend

Southend United F.C. was formed in 1906 and played in the Southern League until 1920, when they co-founded the Football League's new Third Division; they finished 17th in their first ever 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 came close to promotion twice when they finished 3rd in 1932 and 1950, the club's highest league positions until 1991. 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. The club were relegated into the Fourth Division in 1984. One of the club's darkest hours saw a season average attendance of barely above 2,000. They narrowly avoided the lottery of re-election to the Football League.

Promotion in 1987 was the beginning of a golden era for Southend United. Relegation in 1989 was a mere blip as two successive promotions in 1990 and 1991 saw Southend United become "full members" of the Football League for the first time in the club's history, and in 1992 Southend United finished 12th in the old Second Division, their highest ever position in the Football League to date. On New Year's Day, 1992, the club briefly topped the Second Division but their dreary late season form stopped any hopes of a unique third successive promotion that would have given them a place as a Premier League founder member. Manager David Webb then stepped down.

In 1995, former Liverpool player Ronnie Whelan agreed to become player-manager, and Southend finished 14th in Division One in his first season as a manager, a year later the club suffered relegation after finishing bottom of Division One. Ronnie Whelan left the club and he openly admitted when he took the job he didn't know the first thing about being a manager. Alvin Martin was named his replacement , Martin was unable to avoid a second consecutive relegation which Southend once again finishing bottom of the table and were duly relegated to Division Three. First team regulars Simon Royce, Jerome Boere, Andy Thomson and Andy Rammell all left the club and were replaced by Martyn Margetson, Mark Beard, Mark Stimson and Rob Newman. Alvin Martin left in April 1999, with Southend fifth from bottom in the Football League. Alan Little took charge of his first game away to Leyton Orient, a game Southend lost 3–0. Alan Little who had previously managed York City, he signed former York City players Mark Tinkler and Martin Curruthers. Despite limited success gates were barely getting above the 3,000 mark and a crowd of only 2,403 showed up to watch the game against Kidderminster and Alan Little's reign had come to an end. David Webb had resigned as Manager of Yeovil Town and was quickly appointed the new Blues manager after Webb's first season back as Southend manager prior to the 2001-02 season Webb signed youngsters Darryl Flahavan, Leon Cort, Tes Bramble and Mark Rawle. Later that season David Webb was taking to hospital after feeling ill, he was later revealed to be suffering from stress. Rob Newman took temporary charge in Webb's absence, By his high standards the results and been poor and Webb announced his intention to quit the club. Rob Newman who deputised earlier in the season, he along with Peter Taylor and Paul Clark appeared to be the front runners to be the next manager. Rob Newman later got the job on a permanent basis. Southend suffered straight defeats to Lincoln, Swansea, Kidderminster and Hartlepool, that was the end of Newman's time at Southend and was sacked shortly after. Steve Wignall took over as manager and made a host of new changes, bringing in Drewe Broughton, Mark Gower, Mark Warren and Che Wilson. One Wignall decision that did not go down to well with the Southend fans was the release of goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan after he deemed to keeper being too small to play in the Football League. After a poor run of results Wignall re-signed Flahavan, a further two defeats followed and Wignall was sacked. In late 2003 former Southend United midfielder Steve Tilson was appointed manager and named former Leyton Orient boss Paul Brush as his assistant.

In 2004 Tilson and Brush were installed as a permanent management / coaching duo and responded by guiding Southend to promotion via the play-offs in 2005 whilst also making a second successive appearance in the Football League Trophy final. Once again the trophy eluded the Shrimpers as they lost 2–0 to Wrexham, but the third appearance at the Millennium Stadium in the League Two play-off final against Lincoln City brought success as Freddy Eastwood and Duncan Jupp scored the goals that gave the club their first ever taste of promotion via the play-off system and their first major piece of silverware since 1981.

On 29 April 2006 the Shrimpers were promoted to the Football League Championship, the second highest tier of English football, after a tense 2–2 draw with Swansea City at the Welsh club's new Liberty Stadium. Southend were crowned League One champions on 6 May 2006, the final day of the season, after beating Bristol City 1–0 at Roots Hall in front of almost 11,400 fans. The 87th minute winner came from Wayne Gray, who had come on as a substitute for Shaun Goater, who was playing his last professional game. Fans from his former club Manchester City had made a special trip to the game to give their hero a special send-off at the end of a long and distinguished career. For Southend United the championship title, the club's first in 25 years. On 6 May 2006 manager Steve Tilson was named as the League Manager Association's Manager-of-the-Season for League One. Southend were unfortunately, but deservedly relegated back to League 1 in the following season.

On March 8, 2010 assistant manager Paul Brush was dismissed after six and a half years with the club, Steve Tilson expressed his disappointment of the decision stating 'I've not only lost my partner, but I've lost my best friend'. The following day later former manager David Webb was installed as Steve Tilson's new assistant, Tilson and Webb are the clubs two most successful managers. Webb has stated that his role is only until the end of the 2009/10 season. A dismal run of just one win in 2010 left Southend deep in trouble at the wrong end of the table, relegation was confirmed on April 24, 2010 away to Oldham despite twice coming from behind to earn a 2–2 draw it was not enough and Southend's fate was sealed. Southend were relegated to League Two following a 2–2 draw with Oldham Athletic and with League Two having a salary cap that would mean the high earners at the club leaving. On 4 July 2010 manager Steve Tilson was put on gardening leave this ending his seven year stint as manager. Chairman Ron Martin stated that he didn't see the fight from the players or the manager at the end of the season as Southend were relegated back to League 2.

On 5 July 2010 former Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle manager, Paul Sturrock was announced as the new manager with Tommy Widdrington as his assistant, after leaving his post as manager at Salisbury City. Sturrock's first signings for Southend were former Northampton Town left back Peter Gilbert who rejected the offer of a new contract at Sixfields and striker Barry Corr who was released by Exeter City. Both players have played under Sturrock, Gilbert at Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday. Corr started his career at Hillsborough and also spent some time on loan at Swindon Town. Due to Southend being under a transfer embargo both players could only sign pre contract agreements but both will sign two year contracts when the embargo is lifted. After their first season back in League 2, Southend finished 13th, 8 points away from a play-off spot. At the start of the 2011-12 season, Sturrock strengthened the squad with the signings of Ryan Leonard, Jemal Johnson, Jean-Paul Kalala, Liam Dickinson and most notably - Millwall legend Neil Harris, while fan favourite Johnny Herd was among six departures from Southend.

Beating Manchester United

[video=youtube;g-aZTn9S9S8]

Freddy Eastwood's spectacular free-kick against Manchester United.

Southend beat Leeds United in the third round of the League Cup and the draw for the fourth round set up a tie against trophy holders and Premier League Champions Manchester United on 7 November 2006. United fielded a side with 10 full internationals and over £60 million worth of talent, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney where amongst the starting line up, along with Gabriel Heinze, Darren Fletcher, Wes Brown and Alan Smith. Southend had injuries to strikers Billy Paynter and Lee Bradbury whilst Matt Harrold was cup tied so boss Steve Tilson partnered Gary Hooper up front with Freddy Eastwood. Southend showed no fear of the Premier League champions or the players on show, youngster Gary Hooper put in a hard but fair challenge on United striker Wayne Rooney which the England star sportingly acknowledged by helping the 19 year old to his feet. After 25 minutes Jamal Campbell-Ryce was fouled by David Jones 30 yards from goal, Kevin Maher, Steven Hammell and Freddy Eastwood stood over the free kick, Eastwood curled a stunning strike around the United wall and into the top right hand corner of Tomasz Kuszczak's net to give The Shrimpers a shock lead. Southend goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan was in inspired form on the evening to preserve Southend's pricless lead, Flahavan produced a hat trick of top class saves to deny Cristiano Ronaldo including one from a trademark Ronaldo free kick, Flahavan was also called into action to keep Rooney and John O'Shea at bay. Southend also had chances to extend their lead further with Freddy Eastwood going close to add to his tally and Efe Sodje heading over the bar. United piled on the pressure in the closing stages of the game, Kevin Maher and Peter Clarke throwing themselves in front of efforts from Heinze and Patrice Evra. After a brave second half defensive from The Blues, Southend held on for one of the most famous victories in the clubs history.

Stadium

Pre-Roots Hall

The site now occupied by Roots Hall is where Southend United had originally played their home games on their formation in 1906. Upon the outbreak of the First World War the area was designated for storage and Southend were forced out. After the war the club elected to move to a new ground at the Kursaal and Roots Hall became a tipping site.

Relocation

By the early 1950s Southend had moved once more to Southend Greyhound Stadium off Sutton Road. The club did not own the ground and the dog track which encircled the pitch was not suitable for use as a football stadium. In 1952 the wasteland at the old Roots Hall site was purchased to build a new stadium for the club. Work on the ground could not begin immediately due to the large quantities of rubbish which had been dumped on the site in the club's absence which took nearly a year to clear. On 20 August 1955 Roots Hall hosted its first match, against Norwich City. The ground was declared open by the Secretary of the Football Assosiaction , Sir Stanley Rous. The ground remained the youngest in the Football League until the opening of Scunthorpe United's Glanford Park in 1988.

Roots Hall's construction had not been completed when the ground was opened with some stands only running for a short distance along the touchline and others waiting to be concreted over. In addition to these problems the pitch's drainage was unsuitable and by the end of the 1955-56 season it had to be completely relaid.

Ground development

With the pitch issue dealt with, Southend could concentrate on the matter at hand: completing the ground. The west bank roof, originally set back from the pitch, was extended forwards to the touchline creating a double-barrel effect, while work also commenced on finishing the terracing. The job was finally finished in 1964, after all 72 steps of the giant south bank had been concreted. The East stand was extended in both directions so it ran the full length of the touchline in 1966, and around the same time the club installed floodlighting. Finally the ground was finished, and had its finest day in 1979, when a ground record 31,033 fans packed the Hall to watch Liverpool in action in the FA Cup.

Recent work

By the middle of the 80's, though, the club were struggling badly. In an effort to keep the wolves from the door, most of the South bank was sold off, and eventually the remainder was replaced in 1994 by a small two tiered all-seater stand. All this came after the west and east stands saw work in 1992: the west bank was turned into an all-seated stand and the paddocks in the east had seating attached. The final stage of development at the Hall came in 1995, when the west stand roof was extended at either end to meet the south and north stands, with seating being installed in the north-west corner of the ground. Development since has been mainly concentrated on the ground's facilities, in recent years the club opened a new ticket office and club shop, replaced the old style turnstiles with modern electronic ones and extended executive accommodation at the rear of the east stand.

The future

Southend United plans to leave Roots Hall to a proposed new ground at Fossetts Farm. In January 2007, the club received planning permission from both Southend and Rochford councils for the stadium, retail outlets, a hotel and new training facilities but this was subject to rubber-stamping from the Secretary of State. The Department for Communities and Local Government gave broad approval to the plans in March 2008 and planning permission was granted later the same month for the HOK-designed new stadium

An artists rendition of what the new Fossetts Farm stadium could look like.

Kits

Southend United's home and away kits for the 2011-12 season.

Southend's traditional colour has always been blue, although the shade has varied considerably over the years, but between 1959 and 1961 white shirts were adopted. These included a crest in 1960-61 that appears to have been based on the central badge of the town's coat of arms. In 1968 Southend adopt all-navy shirts on which the coat of arms were replaced by a crest designed specifically for the club. Part way through the season the club was instructed to change because the navy tops were too similar to the black shirts worn by referees: after the team played in shirts borrowed from various clubs, the supporters chose West Brom's stripes which were adopted for the rest of the 1968-69 season and the one that followed. The navy and white theme was revived in 2001 when regulations were more liberal and income from the sale of replica strips drove clubs to redesign their kits on a regular basis.

Rivalries and the Essex Derby

Southend United were one of 24 teams that co-founded The Football League's new Third Division in 1920 for the upcoming 1920–21 season. Colchester United were promoted into The Football League, joining the Third Division South for the 1950–51 season.The first match between Colchester United and Southend United was 14 October 1950, which was a Third Division South game, won by Southend 4–2. From 1989 to 2004, the two clubs did not meet in any competitive fixtures.The two clubs both reached the Football League Trophy Southern Area Final, where they met for the first time in 15 years on 10 February 2004, at Layer Road for the first leg, with Southend winning 3–2.They met six days later at Roots Hall, for the Southern Area Final second leg, where the teams drew 1–1 and Southend winning 4–3 on aggregate to reach the overall final of the Football League Trophy at the Millennium Stadium. Cardiff.

During an Essex derby match on 25 November 2006, there were three dismissals, two for Southend United and one for Colchester United. Southend's captain, Kevin Maher was sent-off in the 51st minute for an off-the-ball incident involving Colchester's captain, Karl Duguid. Maher claimed that Duguid had cheated by conning the referee due to his over-reacting, and claimed; "He clipped my leg, so I turned to say 'What are you doing?' and he fell over clutching his face like he'd been poleaxed by Mike Tyson." Duguid stated in his defence; "He chested me and put his face in my face. That's a headbutt, a sending-off offence." Mark Gower picked up a yellow card for dissent after arguing with the referee, Steve Bennett, about the sending off. Five minutes later, Gower was booked again, this time for a late challenge on Duguid. Chris Barker was sent-off in the 78th minute, after he was booked twice. Southend appealed against the red card, which was rejected by The Football Association's disciplinary commission.

Club Honours

• League One/Third Division (3rd tier)
  
  • Champions: 2005–06
    
  • Runners-up: 1989–90
    

  [*]League Two/Fourth Division (4th tier)

  • Champions: 1980–81
    
  • Runners-up: 1971–72, 1977–78
    
  • Play-off Winners: 2004–05
    

  [*]Football League Trophy

  • Runners-up: 2003–04, 2004–05
    

  [*]Southern League Second Division

  • Winners: 1906–07, 1907–08
    
  • Runners-up: 1912–13
    

  [*]Essex Professional Cup

  • Winners: 1950, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1962, 1965, 1967, 1972, 1973
    

  [*]Essex Senior Cup

  • Winners: 1983, 1991, 1997, 2008
    

  [*]Essex Thameside Trophy

  • Winners: 1990
    

Club Records

• Biggest Victory: 10–1 v Golders Green, FA Cup, 1934–35; 10–1 v Brentwood, FA Cup, 1968–69; 10–1 v Aldershot, Football League Trophy, 1990–91
  
• Heaviest Defeat: 1–9 v Brighton & Hove Albion, 1965–66
  
• Highest Attendance (All Comps): 31,033 v Liverpool, FA Cup, 10 January 1979
  
• Highest Attendance (League): 21,020 v Leyton Orient, Football League Third Division South, 9 September 1955
  
• Lowest Attendance (All Comps): 945 v Cambridge United, Associate Members Cup, 16 December 1986
  
• Highest Average Attendance: 12,089 1949–50 Football League Third Division South - Southend Stadium
  
• Lowest Average Attendance: 2,103 1984–85 Football League Fourth Division - Roots Hall
  
• Most Appearances (All Comps): Alan Moody (506 - 1972-1984)
  
• Most Appearances (League): Sandy Anderson (452 - 1950-1962)
  
• Most Appearances (FA Cup): Alan Moody (32 - 1972-1984)
  
• Most Appearances (League Cup): David Martin (25 - 1986-1993)
  
• Most Appearances (Other Cup): Kevin Maher (26 - 1998 to 2008)
  
• Most Goals (All Comps): Roy Hollis (135 - 1954-1960)
  
• Most Goals (League): Roy Hollis (120 - 1954-1960)
  
• Most Goals (FA Cup): Roy Hollis (15 - 1954-1960) and Billy Best (15 - 1968-1973)
  
• Most Goals (League Cup): Sammy McMillan (15 - 1967-69) and David Martin (15 - 1986-1993)
  
• Most Goals (Other Cup): Brett Angell (10 - 1990-1994)
  

2011-12 Transfers

[TABLE=class: wikitable]

[TR]

[/TR]

[TR]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]9 June 2011[/TD]

[TD]FW[/TD]

[TD] Neil Harris[/TD]

[TD] Millwall[/TD]

[TD]Free[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]1 July 2011[/TD]

[TD]MF[/TD]

[TD] Jemal Johnson[/TD]

[TD] Lokomotiv Sofia[/TD]

[TD]Free[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]27 July 2011[/TD]

[TD]DF[/TD]

[TD] Ryan Leonard[/TD]

[TD] Plymouth Argyle[/TD]

[TD]Free[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]27 July 2011[/TD]

[TD]MF[/TD]

[TD]Jean-Paul Kalala[/TD]

[TD] Bristol Rovers[/TD]

[TD]Free[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]27 July 2011[/TD]

[TD]FW[/TD]

[TD] Liam Dickinson[/TD]

[TD] Plymouth Argyle[/TD]

[TD]Free[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Players in

[TABLE=class: wikitable]

[TR]

[/TR]

[TR]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]8 May 2011[/TD]

[TD]DF[/TD]

[TD] Johnny Herd[/TD]

[TD] Ebbsfleet United[/TD]

[TD]Free[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]8 May 2011[/TD]

[TD]MF[/TD]

[TD] Louie Soares[/TD]

[TD] Hayes & Yeading United[/TD]

[TD]Free[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]8 May 2011[/TD]

[TD]MF[/TD]

[TD] Adam Bouzid[/TD]

[TD]Unattached[/TD]

[TD]Free[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]8 May 2011[/TD]

[TD]DF[/TD]

[TD] Miguel Comminges[/TD]

[TD] Colorado Rapids[/TD]

[TD]Free[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]8 May 2011[/TD]

[TD]GK[/TD]

[TD] Rhys Evans[/TD]

[TD]Unattached[/TD]

[TD]Free[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD]30 June 2011[/TD]

[TD]MF[/TD]

[TD] Craig Easton[/TD]

[TD] Dunfermline Athletic[/TD]

[TD]Free[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Players out

General Information

Nation - England

Year Founded - 1906

Status - Professional

Reputation - Regional

Chairman Status - Enjoying life at the club

Legends - Steve Tilson, David Webb

Icons - Stan Collymore, Chris Powell, Freddy Eastwood, Adam Barrett, Mark Gower, Spencer Prior, Shaun Goater, Kevin Maher, Darryl Flahavan, Brett Angell, Billy Best, Paul Sansome, David Crown, Paul Clark, Ian Benjamin, Ron Pountney, Dean Austin, Alan Moody, Andy Ansah

Favoured Personnel - None

Derbies - Essex Derby (vs Colchester)

Fierce Rivals - Colchester City, Leyton Orient, Gillingham F.C.

Other Rivals - West Ham

Finances - Okay

Average Ticket Price - £20.00

Average Season Ticket Price - £360

Season Ticket Holders - 3,000

Estimated Value - £1.2M (Loan Debt: £3M)

Media Prediction - 4th

Stadium - Roots Hall (12,392 seated)

Training Facilities - Adequate training facilities

Youth Facilities - Basic youth facilities

Youth Recruitment - Average youth recruitment

Expectations - Promotion

Transfer Budget - £0

Wage Budget - £25,000

In Football Manager

Start the season expecations: You can choose between Promotion or Winner, you get exactly the same transfer (£0) and wage (£25,000) budgets regardless of your choice, therefore it is sensible to choose Promotion.

At the start of the game, you are spending £22,950 on wages, leaving around £2,000 for players. This means you'll be able to get a free transfer or two in, but most of your business will rely on loans from other clubs.

You have just been brought in as a replacement to Paul Sturrock, chairman Ron Martin has given you a £775 p/w contract until 2013 and he expects success. Your challenge begins here.

[Ricky Button]

Squad

The team has undergone mass redevelopment after failing to gain promotion last season, lots of players left the team and a lot of new signings have been made. Among them are the likes of Jemal Johnson, Neil Harris and Liam Dickinson.

This is your first team squad, the image suffered a little from photobucket resizing.

These are the players that will shape the clubs immediate destiny. Twenty-two players and decent depth in each position, the team is well equipped to gain promotion and stablize themselves in the nPower League 1. While I mention there is relatively decent depth to the squad, there is definitely room for strengthening and improvements. This is where your Harry Redknapp-esque "wheelin' 'n' dealing" will come into play. You've gotta find players that will perform for free or haggle with clubs to bring promising youth players to you. The following section is a breakdown on the squad, detailing each position, the strongest players in the team for the starting XI and potential recruitments for the team.

* denotes star player.

** denotes youth prospect

1 - Glenn Morris

2 - Sean Clohessy

3 - Peter Gilbert

4 - Ryan Hall

5 - Graham Coughlan

6 - Bilel Mohsni

7 - Anthony Grant

8 - Michael Timlin

9 - Neil Harris*

10 - Barry Corr

11 - Lee Sawyer

12 - Kane Ferdinand**

14 - Jemal Johnson

15 - Mark Phillips

16 - Luke Prosser

17 - Daniel Bentley

18 - Ryan Leonard

19 - Jean-Paul Kalala

20 - Harry Crawford

21 - Blair Sturrock

22 - Liam Dickinson*

23 - Chris Barker ©

Goalkeepers

Your first choice goalkeeper will be Glenn Morris. He is more than good enough for League 2 and possibly League 1, back-up to him is 18 year old Daniel Bentley, whom looks to be a good prospect. I would suggest having Morris tutor Bentley as often as possible. It is probably sensible to bring in a GK on loan as back-up, as after Morris and Bentley, your next GK options are two 16-year old Youth players.

Defenders

Club captain Chris Barker, Bilel Mohsni and Luke Prosser.

The central defensive options available are encouraging. First choice center-back partnership, in my opinion will be Chris Barker and Bilel Mohsni, though Barker plus one other will be fine. Mark Phillips and Luke Prosser will be called upon regularly and the aging Graham Coughlan, who is both First Team Coach and a player, is available if you are desperate for someone to fill the role. In terms of your fullbacks, Peter Gilbert and Sean Clohessy will be your first choice duo - both are capable defensively and offensively for the L2 standard. It is here that I think you need to strengthen, while players like Chris Barker and Mark Phillips can cover the wide defensive positions and even midfielders Anthony Grant, Kane Ferdinand and Ryan Leonard can chip in at right back, I still think it is necessary to bring in a solid loan signing that's able to cover one, or both of the fullback positions.

Midfielders

Kane Ferdinand, Ryan Hall and Anthony Grant.

Midfield also benefits from great depth. In the players Kane Ferdinand, Anthony Grant, Jean-Paul Kalala, Lee Sawyer, Ryan Thompson and on loan Michael Timlin, you have very strong competition for the central midfield positions. All of those players are capable of playing centrally, JP Kalala, Kane Ferdinand and Michael Timlin being good defensive options. Jean-Paul Kalala is your equivalent to Michael Essien, his stat distribution is perfect for a defense-minded midfielder and should be deployed as such - he is also a perfect tutor for young Kane Ferdinand, who is definitely Southend's best youth prospect. Anthony Grant and Ryan Thompson are the utility-men of the team, able to play in several positions quite comfortably, though you will want Grant to play as your attacking midfielder, Ryan Hall, Lee Sawyer and Timlin can also do a very good job there.

In terms of wingers, you have the lightning-fast Jemal Johnson and the skillful free-kick-master Ryan Hall. These guys will be your first choice wide players, both are comfortable on either wing so you can be flexible there. Merrick-James Lewis is a good youth prospect and can be used wide left or centrally, but will mostly be cover for Johnson & Hall. If necessary, two of your strikers in Blair Sturrock and Harry Crawford, can play wide right. Due to this, I strongly suggest that a winger or wide-midfielder is put on your immediate radar, it will be beneficial to bring a bit of depth to the role as Johnson and Hall will not be able to play every single game.

Forwards

Barry Corr, club vice-captain Neil Harris and Liam Dickinson.

The three strikers shown above are definite first-team choices, they will score shed-loads of goals in L2 and should be decent enough for League 1. Neil Harris is a very good striker with well-rounded abilities, partnering him with Corr or Dickinson will have the best effect. At the start of the game, Corr is injured for a good month or two, which makes your first choice partnership easy to decide. Though Neil Harris is aging, he will be fine for this season and hopefully the one after, in which you have of course gained promotion to League 1. Your other attacking options are Blair Sturrock and Harry Crawford. Harry Crawford is a promising youth player and should get games now and again but is unlikely to be a reliable source of goals. Blair Sturrock on the other hand should either be kept purely as back-up, to cover injuries or be deemed surplus to requirements and sold/released from the club. With that said, bringing in a loan signing to either partner Harris or act as cover for the first time is a very good idea.

Transfer Targets

As I stated in the squad section, there are certain areas of the team that need strengthening. In my opinion, these are a fullback, a winger and a striker. Being a Manchester United fan, I looked no further than their youth team to secure some fantastic season-long loan signings.

Fullback Michael Keane is a solid, and versatile defender. He will be good cover for Sean Clohessy's right-back spot and will also be able to cover central defense. Manchester United will loan him to the club for 0% wage commitment, for the whole season.

Winger Larnell Cole can play on either wing or centrally, though he should definitely be played as a winger first and foremost. He is just as good as Johnson and close to Hall's ability as a player, meaning he will be able to comfortably rotate with your first choice pair. United will loan Cole to you for absolutely free and for a whole season.

Striker Will Keane is a fantastic prospect for both Manchester United and England, clinical in front of goal and skillful on the ball, Keane makes for a brilliant partner to Neil Harris and can score goals out of nothing. Once again, United will loan him for free and for a whole season. After you complete the loan signing, Keane states he could be interested in a permanent move if the loan deal is successful, but at this stage it is highly unlikely that could come to fruition. He is also the brother of the fullback Michael Keane that I have loaned.

[Ricky Button]

Formations

The above formations are all viable for Southend United thanks to the depth the squad has. Each formation has its uses and successful managers will know when to change before and during games to get the best out of their team. My personal preference here is the 4-4-2 system, it's balanced and easy to understand - everyone knows 4-4-2. Your fullbacks are set to automatic so they will play to your strategy, from defensive, counter to attacking, their mindset changes at the click of a button. One of the central midfielders will look to win the ball and close down the opposition while the other will press forward and look to link-up with the forwards, dashing into any space between the enemy midfield and defensive lines. The two wingers are self explanitory, they will try to take players on and get through into danger areas to either cut in and shoot or to try and find your strikers. One of the strikers is set to deep-laying forward, this means he will look to drop into midfield to receive the ball from time to time, in order to help bridge the gap between the midfield and the front line.

Staff

At the beginning of the game, you have a decent amount of staff and have atleast every position covered. You actually have more staff than the board would naturally allow you to have, with a maximum of four coaching staff allowed (coaches, youth, fitness and physio's) you are getting away with having a total of seven and you're allowed three scouts and have four. For this reason, I suggest leaving the staff set-up as it is until you gain promotion, unless you come across a really good staff signing, I don't see any logic behind reducing the numbers you have available to you.

Repository

Lower League Players

Lower League Staff

Free Agents

Football Manager 2012; Southend United and the The Five Year Challenge

What's a football thread without a challenge? this one is simple. From the start of the game, you have five years to earn promotion to the holy lands that is the Premier League. There are no limitations on how many leagues or database size you would like to run, just that you start as Southend and attempt to get them promoted to the Premier League. This will require immediate promotion from League 2, you then have two seasons to conquer League 1 and then another two to battle through the Championship. Ample time, right? With the finances that Southend start off with, the challenge will be difficult (or it wouldn't be called a challenge, duh!) and will require shrewd management and a good amount of luck.

Records

Thanks to FabioMVP for letting me pinch his records list.

If you want to claim one of these record slots, simply post a screenshot of the record in question and I'll list your name and your screenshot next to the category. Only competitive games will be used.

Team

Biggest League win -

Biggest win in a domestic Cup game -

Biggest win in European Competition -

Highest scoring win - RickyButton - Port Vale 5 - 6 Southend United

Highest scoring loss -

Highest % possession in one game - SteveUK - 71% possession vs Rotherham

Most goals scored in one league season -

Least goals conceded in one league season -

Largest goal difference at end of season -

Most points in one season -

Most games won in a row -

Most games without defeat -

Most games without conceding a goal -

Fastest goal scored -

Most 1st team goal scorers in one season -

Most Premier League Titles in a row -

Most Champions League Titles in a row -

Players

Most goals scored in one game -

Most goals scored in one season -

Most assists in one season -

Most MotM awards in one season -

Fastest hat-trick -

Youngest goalscorer - RickyButton - Sasa Maruna [17 years, 10 days]

Highest average rating over 1 season (30 games+ needed) -

Transfers

Most spent on one player -

Most received for one player -

Close

Southend's goal is to now regain promotion to the nPower League 1 division and build from there on. With the development plans for a new stadium accepted, debts slowly being paid off and a good core of players to forge a team around, Southend United will prove a challenging save game for anyone interested. Are you able to bring success to Southend? Can you push the club forward and move into the new Fossetts Farm stadium? Can you cope with no budget and a low wage-bill? If you find yourself saying yes, then this may be the challenge you are looking for.

This was posted quicker than I thought, but once I started I could not stop going. This is the first team thread I've ever made, so hopefully it inspires people to start a save with Southend United. Thanks to MrSundlofer for layout ideas, his Paris Saint-Germain thread inspired me to make this one better than it was. If there's anything you think that can be improved upon or any criticisms of the content, any changes, then let me know either in here or through PM!

Good luck playing as Southend!

[A.McL1]

Nice Home Kit

[Purefun]

Is this League one or two?

[CrD]

Both kits look good (Y)

[Ricky Button]

Is this League one or two?

Southend are in League 2 mate. I'll fill out this thread properly quite soon.

[Ricky Button]

Gonna use post #3 for more stuff tomorrow, think the first two posts are good enough for now but I'll go over them again to see where they can be improved.

[Fabio MVP]

Nice OP and good luck with the records.

[SRL88]

Nice OP mate

[Peter G]

Southend fan here, good to see a thread on them. A decent player to look out for is Faisal Hemati. He's an 18 year old Afghan DC who has really impressed me in my pre-season and has possibly won himself one of the starting CB slots. He's a little weak on the physical side of things but at only 18 he has room to improve so I've put him on a training regime to improve his strength. I reckon he could possibly become a League 1 DC easily.

[Ricky Button]

Southend fan here, good to see a thread on them. A decent player to look out for is Faisal Hemati. He's an 18 year old Afghan DC who has really impressed me in my pre-season and has possibly won himself one of the starting CB slots. He's a little weak on the physical side of things but at only 18 he has room to improve so I've put him on a training regime to improve his strength. I reckon he could possibly become a League 1 DC easily.

Awesome, I'll get around to making a section devoted to the Youth team, hopefully this weekend. I'll mark out the ones potentially worth keeping in the team, most likely based off of scout reports though. If you've got any other recommendations for the youth players then let me know, the more info the better.

[JayArr]

If anyone's struggling for goals, take a look at John Cofie on loan from Man Utd - he won't cost anything, but him and Dickinson have scored nearly 30 between them before the end of November for me, and he's keeping Harris out of the side.

As for the youth team, there's not a lot there. The only ones that are really standing out are Seedy Njie and Jack Edwards - both 16, with some good attributes and decent performances for the U18s so far. Njie's already picked up a couple of lengthy injuries though.

My current first-choice lineup, which has done really well so far - http://oi56.tinypic.com/2ngymn7.jpg - Clohessy's not been great at right back, and I'm not sure he could do it in League One. I had Gavin Hoyte on loan for a couple of months who did well, but I might need a permanent replacement.

[Ricky Button]

Finished pre-season after I got home from work, won every game apart from a 2-1 loss to QPR (still played well against them though). First league game of the season against Aldershot, Liam Dickinson scored a hattrick on his debut to seal a 3-1 away win.

[Ricky Button]

Southend fan here, good to see a thread on them. A decent player to look out for is Faisal Hemati. He's an 18 year old Afghan DC who has really impressed me in my pre-season and has possibly won himself one of the starting CB slots. He's a little weak on the physical side of things but at only 18 he has room to improve so I've put him on a training regime to improve his strength. I reckon he could possibly become a League 1 DC easily.

Good call on Hemati mate, his stats are well distributed and he signed for a measley £5 p/w. Good squad player to have around.

[flogside]

Nice thread mate! Any ideas on staff to bring in and tactics to use? Im going to experiment on the demo of course! Giving Hemati a go on trial until the end of pre season along with a few others.

[Ricky Button]

Nice thread mate! Any ideas on staff to bring in and tactics to use? Im going to experiment on the demo of course! Giving Hemati a go on trial until the end of pre season along with a few others.

Going to add a bit more to the tactics and formations section when I get a chance, will also add some stuff about staff and who to look for. Gonna play the demo some more this week, had a rather busy weekend. Though I've found 4-4-2 works, switching during games helps depending on how it's going, found myself switching to 4-5-1 to counter other teams using 4-5-1 and just dominating possession.

[flogside]

Going to add a bit more to the tactics and formations section when I get a chance, will also add some stuff about staff and who to look for. Gonna play the demo some more this week, had a rather busy weekend. Though I've found 4-4-2 works, switching during games helps depending on how it's going, found myself switching to 4-5-1 to counter other teams using 4-5-1 and just dominating possession.

Fair one mate, im waiting until the full game is out to really get into it anyway, the demo is good for testing! Southend is my home town but im a lifelong Arsenal supporter but thought the Southend save would be easier lol good effort, look forward to more input and info!

[Ricky Button]

After seeing how brilliant the PSG thread was, I have revamped this thread from top to bottom. Added a lot more information (sort of a shameful wiki-paste) and expanded on player and squad information as well as transfers and potential targets. I'll expand on Staff, formations, tactics tomorrow.

I've also added a "Football Manager 2012; Southend United and the Five Year Challenge" part.

[alstarz01]

Ricky, Coming from doing the thread last year... Well done on making a very professional looking, well filled out and amazing op! Makes me proud to be a Southend Fan! Will be taking my beloved Southend on again when the full game is released! Hoping for more success there than i got last time. Hope that this thread takes off for you mate. Just make sure you keep up to date with the records and things as i left it quite a bit last year. Will be keeping upto date with this thread

Once again, well done mate

[Ricky Button]

Aye, I'll be a lot more active when the game comes out. Haven't had time to even finish the half a season demo yet.

[alstarz01]

Im a uni student so im hoping to have time to be able to play. I've only been playing about with the game slightly on the demo, get an idea of formations etc but im hoping that when the games comes out that i'll be able to get on with it a bit more and play a good part before i have work at the weekend. Its looking a good game this season with the updates. Just hoping my beloved Shrimpers can match the start we have actually had in the league this year

[Ricky Button]

Just as a last check before release tonight - anyone think there is a particular area that can be improved for the thread?

[Rampage69]

As a Shrimper and and as usual im going to start off with Southend i think this thread is a credit to you mate well done! just decrypting game now, im top of table after demo but undecided whether to start again or carry on.

[Peter G]

Started as SUFC. Put a couple of players up for loan and will try and sell a few others to bring in new recruits.

[Ricky Button]

My transfers. Mostly backup and youth players, a couple of the signings will definitely be in and around the first team. (Koroma, Cole, Keane and Timár.)

My pre-season. It was a little below standards for what I wanted, but it served purpose.

Going to wait until after work tomorrow to do the first league game, feeling a little too sleepy. Good to see a handful of others starting Southend threads as well.

[SteveUK]

Hullo!, really nice thread Ricky!, im an Arsenal fan myself but have a soft spot for southend and Leyton orient, decided to start up a southend save, i noticed you mention a Ryan Thompson in the posts above, i cant seem to find him on my game, seems to be missing from the team!

[Ricky Button]

Hullo!, really nice thread Ricky!, im an Arsenal fan myself but have a soft spot for southend and Leyton orient, decided to start up a southend save, i noticed you mention a Ryan Thompson in the posts above, i cant seem to find him on my game, seems to be missing from the team!

did I really write Thompson? It's Ryan Leonard.

EDIT: There we go, fixed it.

[SteveUK]

Aha! cool makes sense now cheers fella.

[Ricky Button]

Just played my first league game of the season against Oxford at Roots Hall. Media touted it as an early 'Promotion fight' and I battered them 3-0, JP Kalala smashed in from close ranged and Dickinson scored a brace.

[JayArr]

Also just played my first league game - a 2-1 win over Plymouth. Had to come from behind - Plymouth had one attempt on target, which unfortunately turned out to be a 35 yard screamer inside the first 10 minutes of the game.

[SteveUK]

Just began friendlies myself, first against Stevenage away, lost 2-0! even though i had 59percent possession and 14 shots on target(2 hitting the post and 1 hitting the crossbar) and they had 4 shots on target, guess luck just wasnt on my side!

[Ricky Button]

Really happy with that JPT result, especially since Adam Barrett and Darryl Flahavan are at Bournemouth.

Downside to the win, Barker cracked his hip and will be out for 3 months...

[SteveUK]

Just tried uploading myself to see if it was any different for me but i get the same page, youtube terms of service, dont have a clue mate , badluck about barker though!

[Ricky Button]

[video=youtube;FS1C0yyivtI]

I have no idea why the quality is pants. I'll look into it.

[JayArr]

You can set the upload quality from somewhere in the preferences. I think it defaults to 360p.

[Ricky Button]

You can set the upload quality from somewhere in the preferences. I think it defaults to 360p.

Yeah, changed it to 1080p and I'm re-uploading it now.

[Ricky Button]

Dickinson out for 6 weeks now too. He and Harris have been banging them in for fun.

[Ricky Button]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

What I consider a giant killing.

The teams heroics have earned them a 3rd round cup tie against Everton at Goodison Park.

[SteveUK]

Season is about to kick off for me, pre-season went fairly well, 3 losses to Stevenage, Hull and Huddersfield, all 3 by 2 goal margins though we played well despite the final scores, and 3 victorys against Bury, FC Manchester United and notts county the 4-1 win against bury being the stand out result.

Persuaded the board that we needed a parent club to help bring in some fresh faces at low costs, so Chelsea are now our parent club!

Transfers in ->

Jacob Mellis AMC From Chelsea - Loan

Ben Gordon WBL/FBL From Chelsea - Loan

Will Keane ST From Man Utd - Loan (Ricky was spot on about this guy he nabbed 4 goals in preseason for me including a hatrick against bury, got high hopes for him as he stated he hoped that the move to Southend Would be permanent)

Julian Pinard - French Winger - Free

Rocky Siberie - Curacou ST/Winger - Free

Scot Thompson - American Centreback - free

And this guy arrives in December a signing im particularly pleased about

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Current injuries arent too bad - Clohessy(3weeks) Sturrock and Corr both on the way back within a few weeks.

now for the first game against bradford!

[Ricky Button]

That Russell fella looks pretty good! Should tear up L2 and L1.

Will Keane is a beast, I didn't sign him this time around but I think I'll definitely be getting him in for the first season in L1. Not sure when Harris will call it a day.

[SteveUK]

That Russell fella looks pretty good! Should tear up L2 and L1.

Will Keane is a beast, I didn't sign him this time around but I think I'll definitely be getting him in for the first season in L1. Not sure when Harris will call it a day.

i think ive got all areas of the squad covered now, quite a few youth players out on loan which i like, nice to get them as much experience as possible, just won the opening game away to bradford 2-0 goals from Hall and Harris

how is that Koroma lad looking for you Ricky? he went to plymouth on my game who have been brought by a consortium, was going to try and sign him if Siberie turned me down

[Ricky Button]

Koroma's just bagged his first goal after 8 appearances (not 8 starts mind you). He's hit the bar about 500 times though, generally threatens a lot and makes good runs. Got 3 assists along with that goal.

[JayArr]

It's all been a bit up and down for me so far. About five weeks in to the season, 5th in the league. Lost 5-3 at Accrington in the second game and got hammered 4-1 by Millwall in the second round of the league cup (thanks in no small part to this absolutely criminal goal -

). But I've also beaten Oxford 4-1 and both Brentford and Crewe 5-0.

Conceded 14 goals in the league so far and the defence has looked so shaky I've ended up dropping Morris for the last couple of games and putting in Gregory Hartley (signed on a free in the summer) purely because he's brave enough to actually come for the ball.

Other transfers include Matteo Alberti, Kieron Freeman, John Cofie and Rhys Murphy, all on loan for the season. Cofie did brilliantly in the demo for me, but has been naff so far; Alberti's very good but decidedly inconsistent and Freeman's a backup, but Murphy has scored 7 in 8 games so far and works really well with Dickinson (who has 11 in 10).

Steve's pic of that Russell guy inspired me to look around for players on expiring contracts, so I've just offered one to Joseph Ndo (also of Sligo!). Scouts reckon he's good enough for the Championship, but he's willing to take a cheapo contract to the end of the season, and I'm thinking he might just turn out to be the classy, experienced player who can come in for the second half of the campaign and lead the team to promotion. I have been very wrong about things like that in the past though.

[SteveUK]

Holy crap Jay! that goal was darn right criminal looks like the guy didnt just block the keeper but clotheslined him in the process!, Vejle Kolding(danish club) grabbed that Ndo before i could sadly, enda stevens of shamrock rovers is another player worth a look at, though aston villa have snapped him up in my game. Keeping my eyes on Bill Dennehy, Dan Murray and Craig Sives all of Shamrock, some real good prospects in the irish league.

[Ricky Button]

Well, I lost 1-0 to Everton in the 3rd Round of the league cup. Quite a respectable scoreline imo. Everton played a weakened side, but Bilyaletdinov was the difference between the two teams in the end.

[SteveUK]

Well, I lost 1-0 to Everton in the 3rd Round of the league cup. Quite a respectable scoreline imo. Everton played a weakened side, but Bilyaletdinov was the difference between the two teams in the end.

Good effort though, if you was at home i bet you got some nice gate reciepts! i got knocked out first match against MK Dons, was winning 1-0 they took it to extra time then nicked it int he 118th minute , lads have reacted well though 2-0 win over crawley

Edit - If anyone is looking for another decent centreback, David Elebert looks pretty good wanted around 1,000p/w on my save so i had to pass as i had other transfer targets at the time

[Ricky Button]

Just been checking the youth players, Jack Edwards and Seedy Njie look worth giving games.

[Ricky Button]

Just lost 2-1 to Gillingham in the JPT South 2nd Round.

[JayArr]

Also just gone out in the 2nd round of the JPT - 1-1 draw with Charlton and then lost 4-1 on penalties. Bah