Sturrock has agreed a three-year deal with League Two Southend

Southend United manager Paul Sturrock has urged Blues' fans to get behind his team, despite their frustrations with the club's off-field problems.

The League Two side currently have only 10 professional players on their books, are under a transfer embargo and face a winding-up order in the High Court.

New boss Sturrock told BBC Essex: "Yes, there's frustration at the minute and everybody can appreciate why.

"But on a Saturday when they come here we want them to get behind the team."

He continued: "Whatever happens politically or off the park, I think that is [usually] secondary to a football fan.

"At this moment in time that is taking up a lot of their time, but I'd like them to swing their enthusiasm and passion into backing the players."

Sturrock was unveiled as the new manager at Roots Hall on Monday, replacing previous incumbent Steve Tilson.

Some Southend fans expressed their discontent after Tilson's departure

The former Plymouth, Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday boss said he understood the fans' feelings towards Tilson, whose association with the club began as a player in 1989 and continued as manger from 2003.

"He is a legend [here] and I saw people in the car park voicing their opinion to the chairman when he came in [on Monday morning]," he said.

"There's a frustration amongst the fans and a love of Steve, which I can appreciate.

"Steve's a very competent manager. I've been sacked from several football clubs in the past and I can appreciate how he's feeling at the moment.

"I'm very confident that he will be not out of work for long and will again be the successful manager that he's been in the past."

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