No Distance Left To Run?

Atkins: no go

Since the departure of Steve Wignall following the 1-0 defeat to Northampton Town over one month ago, there has been much speculation as to whether former Cobblers boss and current Yellows manager Atkins would be the person to fill the vacant position. Never mind that Blues were second-bottom of the Third Division table and Oxford were second-top. Never mind that the Shrimpers now occupy the loftyu heights of 22^nd and the U’s are top of the division.

So sure was Southend director Ron Martin that he could lure the 46-year-old away from the Kassam Stadium, especially with the man who lends his name to the title of the groudn apparently walking out and ready to sell for £1 that all the talk of former striking legend Stanley Victor Collymore was ruled out eleven days ago. Martin announced that he was to approach the Thames Valley outfit.

Kassam at first bluntly refused the Seasiders permission to speak, stating that Atkins still had six months to run on his current deal at Oxford. That appeared to be the major stumbling block, and the only reason that the Birmingham-born man would consider joining the struggling Essex outfit. Atkins had no job security at the Kassam, and with the chairman walking out, a new deal by the seaside with two years on double his money would be lucrative.

The former Colchester United and Doncaster Rovers boss (no, not Wignall) had refuted claims that Blues approached him. When he was in London on the day of Southend’s glorious F.A. Cup replay victory over Canvey Island at Park Lane, he was not meeting Ron Martin and Geoffrey King, but instead undergoing a routine medical. Yellows World later released the pictures.

But Kassam was not convinced. A week ago he threatened Blues with legal action should they have used unjust means, and had they tapped Atkins up. Surely this was not the case? Not the Third Division representative to the Nationwide elite using underhand methods to get a new manager? For Atkins part, he said he was “flattered” by the interest. Strange that he was “flattered” by the interest of a struggling side 90th in the Football League. At the moment we’re not even at the standard of Colchester United (sadly) let alone Manchester United.

However, today, it seems that we can draw a line under the whole sorry episode. Well, except for the bit that ends with us getting a new manager. 29 days have passed since Wignall was relieved of his position as gaffer, and so far poor old Lewis Hunt has performed under four different bosses. The Derby County man has been on loan at Roots Hall for the princely total of 37 days. David Webb reappeared for three matches, presided over an LDV Vans Trophy second round win at Swansea City, the F.A. Cup triumph against the Gulls and a 4-0 mauling against old club Yeovil.

The fourth spell of Webb was trumpeted by the phrase, ‘I could stay here ‘til the end of the season’, or words to that effect. By the time of the Park Lane jubilation, Webb had ‘other business interests’ and was on his way back down the M4. And I though that he’d use the M3 to get back to Dorset! So now it’s Tilly (taking on about his fifteenth different position since returning to the club in a full-time capacity a couple of years ago) and Paul Brush, another former player, full of heart and passion for the game (I wonder if that extends to the eyes?) and club to guide us away from the drop zone. They must do this whilst also looking after the youth set-up, deciding youngsters’ contracts for next year, the reserve team and picking the bones out of the treatment room to gather together a selection of players for the Essex Senior Cup tie against Clacton Town.

Atkins will not play a part in the future of Southend United Football Club. Kassam revealed in a press conference at 12:30 this afternoon, “I have had a number of meetings with Ian and we have spoken again this morning. He assures me that he is more than happy here and has no plans to go anywhere else”. He continued to explain his ideas of loyalty (the Shrimpers might like to take note): “As far as I am concerned he is under contract and if he walks away I will make sure he doesn’t work anywhere else for six months at least! I have told him that and there are no two ways about it. I have reminded him”.

As Kassam revealed that his nown part in the Varsity club’s future was not by any means over, he stressed the needs for teamwork, something that undoubtedly is required at Roots Hall as well, espedcially at this time, “I have stuck by him and given him the resources. It’s not just Ian who has done it, it is through teamwork. The chairman can’t do it on his own, the manager can’t do it on his own and the players can’t do it on their own. It has been teamwork. I have given him the resources and stuck by him. I have reminded him of that and that the least I expect is for him to see his contract through”.

The chairman of the U’s also revealed that, contrary to reports, if Oxford were successful this season then Atkins would not be going anywhere, “And to clear another thing up. If Ian takes us to the Second Division he has an automatic extension to his contract. Not only that but he has a very substantial bonus to come. As far as I’m concerned he just needs to concentrate on the football side, stick to his contract and everything will fall into place. Finally, the businessman seemed perplexed by the interest of Southend, and why his manager woul;d want to go there, “I also said to him that if a First or Second Division side came in for him I would be flattered for him and would consider my position. But not Southend for sure. That’s not a place for him to even consider”.

Kassam’s full statement can be seen at www.oufc.co.uk, and the whole interview is on Yellows World at world.oufc.co.uk, not that we’re really interested in that. What we want to know is where our new boss is going to come from, when we can expect an end to this charade and whether ‘Uncle Ron’ will give us all a Christmas present to remember.

Don’t hold your breath.

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com

**These are the author’s own thoughts on the matter and in no way represents those of the entire TLG team, Shrimpers Trust, the University of Essex or any other organisation that he may be involved in in the past, present or future**