Southend plight saddens ex-bosses

Steve Wignall (L) and Paul Clark (R) have both managed at Roots Hall

Two former managers of Southend United have both expressed their sadness that the club may be placed into administration on Wednesday.

Paul Clark, an ex-player and boss at Roots Hall, told BBC Essex: "It's worrying times for everyone.

"I can't ever remember it getting this close to administration."

Steve Wignall, Blues manager in 2003 added: "I'm really sad for them - all Steve Tilson can do is to keep getting the results."

Paul Clark made over 300 appearances as a defender for the Shrimpers and managed the team for a year in 1987.

"I was there at the club in the late 1980s, when there were lots of problems with the club struggling for money.

"But I can't ever remember it getting this close to administration," he said.

The bottom line is that the supporters will suffer, because they're still turning out in numbers and paying their money

Steve Wignall, ex-Southend United manager

"The players are the least vulnerable, they've all got contracts and the Professional Footballers Association will back them up.

"The people I feel sorry for are the people behind the scenes, who are probably on service contracts and they'll be the first to be cut adrift in difficult times," he added.

"We can only take him [Ron Martin] at his word at the moment. He says there is something going on, so we keep our fingers-crossed.

"From the players' point of view, there is nothing they can do, but play football. And yes it is a small squad [but] at least it is 11 experienced players," Clark added.

Steve Wignall, who was manager of Southend United in 2003, said: "I was only there six months and things didn't turn out quite right for myself, but you never want this to happen to a football club.

"The bottom line is, it's the supporters that will suffer, because they're still turning out in numbers and paying their money."

606: DEBATE

I have always had faith in Ron Martin to steer us in the right direction financially. We have been, to coin a phrase, prudent in the transfer market. How then do we find ourselves in this situation?

rayleighblue

"I don't know the full facts of how the club has become embroiled like it is now, but it can happen so quickly in football clubs because of the wages they pay.

"I'm really sad for them and all Steve Tilson can do is to keep getting the results," he added.

"People like Lee Barnard could be sold off, they'll have to sell assets quickly and they can't afford to pay wages. That's the real sad part of the deal, that all the building he [Steve Tilson] has done there could be destroyed in a matter of weeks," said Wignall.