The talented 15-year old Lyle Della-Vere, who has been playing so well on the left side of midfield in games against boys up to three years older than himself, has signed a youth scholarship deal with the Blues.
After being released by Tottenham Hotspur he joined Southend United's Centre of Excellence as a 12-year-old after being spotted at an open trial.
And Head of Youth Ricky Duncan, who has been such a success at Roots Hall helping to create a title-winning under-18 side at the club, has praised the financial back-up provided by the Shrimpers supremo Ron Martin in particular over the last half-decade.
Duncan told www.southendunited.co.uk: "There has been a very good commitment from the Chairman to youth development over the past five years. When I arrived back at Southend we put a plan and he has backed that all the way even though the first team has been relegated twice. The investment now is more than ever, on a par with some top flight sides, and it's the sort of assurrance that convinced Lyle that Southend United is the place for him even though there was interest from elsewhere."
That interest going as far up as the Premier League! Plenty of scouts sitting in the Directors boss at the team's recent FA cup Youth games.
Well, we slag Uncle Ron off enough here so credit where it's due and it seems he played a big part in bringing Lyle's parents round to putting pen to paper.
Ricky continued: "The Chairman does not want these youngsters sold like last year with Fermi Orenuga to Everton and Michael Ngoo to Liverpool. If they think there are no prospects they want to move on. My ambition is to see these lads come through and want to play for Southend. I know Ron thinks the same so signing Lyle is great."
He is also confident of the future of his present crop of youngsters.
Ricky explained: "I said five years ago that there are some good players in the Centre, especially in the under-16's age group. They are very strong and we have already offered five players scholarships for next season."
Good stuff and congratualtions to all involved.
Lyle, who will continue his school education during the academic year while training with the under-18's on day release, has sat on the subs bench with the first team already!
Ricky said of the player himself: "Lyle had to work on his attitude when he first came here which he did and we pushed him into the under-18's. He now needs to make sure that he pushes himself harder as he is an exciting young player who can play on the the left-wing or in attack and is good with both feet."
S24 wishes Lyle the best of luck in his footballing future.
The full article from the official website here:
www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~2249853,00.html
Lyle mentioned in dispatches in the 2010/11 FA Youth Cup:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edb1/fa_youth_cup_first_round_
southend_united_under18s_3_luton_town_under18s_1_after_extratime_
575260/index.shtml
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edb1/fa_youth_cup_second_round_
southend_united_under18s_3_brentford_under18s_0_601965/index.shtml