Shrimpers Sign One-Year Deals

Cort has become the first to sign up

Defender Cort became the first player to sign when he decided to accept the one-year contract offered to him by new manager Steve Wignall. The triple Player of the Year also has a clause relating to a further season at Roots Hall should the club, and the player, progress over the following twelve months.

Cort simply told the club's official website (www.southendunited.co.uk) that "It's marvellous". Boss Wignall was also enthusiastic about the signing, stating that, "I am very pleased that he is staying with us because he's had an excellent season", before concluding by declaring prophetically, "he's got a good head on his shoulders and I think Leon Cort is only going one way and that's down to Leon Cort". The move will also please the club's supporters, who were desperate for the South London-born former Millwall trainee to commit himself to Blues for another campaign, with Wignall looking to rebuild the squad.

Neil Jenkins followed Cort in ensuring his Southend career for another season. The former Wimbledon man, who worked under Stewart Robson at Selhurst Park, was even more delighted than Cort, gushing that, "I feel good really, I wanted it and I have got it". The left-sided former England Under-20 international also gave his thoughts on next year, declaring his intention to help the club, "I fancy us to go up next year. As players have left the club who were playing in my position then hopefully I can revert back to that and show people what I can do".

However, young winger Steven Clark is still unsure of his future. The former West Ham United wide man was surprisingly chosen as one of the players that Wignall decided he wanted to retain at the club, but the Londoner has yet to repay the favour. He moaned, "It wasn't entitely what I expected but football never is and I have just got to get on with it". The midfielder's mixed emotions were summed up by his comments, which included the phrase, "the offer wasn't what I was expecting. Whether I will accept the offer or not is still yet to be decided. I want to stay at the club". 

Meanwhile, Wignall is expected to complete the signing of former Colchester United defender Mark Warren inside the next fortnight. The central defender, who was in the running for the U's Player of the Year award until he picked up an injury in February, was surprisingly released by north Essex gaffer Phil Parkinson due to the fact that he had not seen the blocker play. Warren is going on holiday, having just completed a move to a new house, and he is expected to undergo a medical when he returns. 

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com