For this FM24 save the destination is Essex, more specifically Southend United, a club that has endured a rather tumultuous time of late.

The Club

Founded back in 1906, The Shrimpers are synonymous with some famous names in English football as the likes of Robert Jack, Bobby Moore, Barry Fry and Colin Murphy have all held the reins at Southend-on-Sea.

The club has never been higher in the footballing pyramid than the EFL Championship back in 2006/07 when Freddy Eastwood’s 16-goal haul wasn’t enough to keep them up and The Shrimpers were relegated back down to League One after a single season in the second tier. The aforementioned Eastwood can certainly be classed as ‘Mr Southend United’ given his 150+ appearances for the club.

Since that 06/07 season, Southend have been on a steady decline and were relegated to League Two in 2010 where they stayed for five seasons.

There was a bright moment in 2015, as the club experienced a moment of glory when Southend United won the League Two Play-Off final, lifting the trophy at Wembley Stadium after defeating Wycombe Wanderers in the final.

The Shrimpers remained in League One until the 2019/20 season when back-to-back relegations mean the club now find themselves in the fifth tier of English Football – The National League.

Moreover, Southend United has faced multiple financial issues in recent years and at the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign was deducted ten points and placed under a transfer embargo due to failure to pay its debts.

Roots Hall has been home to Southend United since 1955, despite neverending promises of a new stadium.

The saga of promises for a new stadium at Southend United has been a rollercoaster ride for fans and stakeholders alike, spanning several years and multiple proposed locations. The desire for a new stadium stems from the limitations and shortcomings of Roots Hall, which has faced issues ranging from outdated facilities to capacity constraints.

Over the years, various plans and proposals have been put forward by the club’s owners, local authorities, and developers to build a modern, purpose-built stadium that would not only address the deficiencies of Roots Hall but also serve as a catalyst for the club’s growth and development.

However, despite numerous announcements and assurances, progress on the new stadium has been slow and often marred by setbacks, including funding challenges, planning permission issues, and disagreements over the chosen site. This has led to frustration and scepticism among fans, who have seen promises for a new stadium fail to materialise time and time again.

The Manager

Meet Jamie Smith, affectionately known as Jay to his friends and colleagues. The 29-year-old was born and raised in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

Jay’s story begins like many others—with a young boy, a ball at his feet, and dreams of glory on the horizon. From the moment he could walk, Jay was drawn to the beautiful game, spending every spare moment perfecting his skills on the local pitches of Southend. His talent was undeniable, his passion palpable, but fate had other plans in store.

While Jay was playing academy football for his beloved Shrimpers, tragedy struck. A career-ending injury shattered his dreams of making it as a professional player at just 17 years old, leaving him with a choice—to let adversity define him or to rise above it. Jay chose the latter. Determined to stay connected to the game he loved, he turned his focus to coaching, studying tirelessly to earn his coaching badges and carve out a new path in the world of football.

The young man’s journey took him from the sidelines of youth matches to the training grounds of local clubs, where he shared his knowledge and passion with the next generation of football stars. His ability to inspire, motivate, and lead did not go unnoticed, and soon he found himself rising through the ranks, earning respect and admiration at every turn.

But it was his deep-rooted connection to Southend United that fueled his ambition. The club had been his lifelong passion, his beacon of hope in times of uncertainty, and now, it was his chance to give back. When the opportunity arose for the managerial position at Southend United, Jay knew it was his moment to go out and seize it.

With his coaching qualifications in hand and a few years of coaching experience behind him, Jay stepped into the role of manager with a sense of purpose and determination. His incredible knowledge of the team, the community, and the values that defined Southend United set him apart, earning him the trust and support of the board as they look to navigate this difficult time.

The job was his.

As he walked onto the hallowed turf of Roots Hall for the first time as manager, Jay felt a sense of pride and gratitude wash over him. It was a moment he had dreamed of since he was a young boy kicking a ball around the streets of Southend—a moment that symbolised the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in himself and this team.

The Save

The plan is quite literally a one-club road to glory, restore Southend United to the football league and take them all the way to the Premier League and beyond.

Ideally, I’d like to develop players using the youth facilities as it’s the most rewarding part of FM for me, who knows, maybe we can create a club legend who can rival Freddy Eastwood in terms of adoration from fans.

Whatever happens, it promises to be one hell of a ride.