It's really official now!
After a report in the Scotsman broke the story, the Fifers broke it on May 5th with Dundee replacing the Europe bound Hearts, and after securing 10k's worth of funds, 50% of the cost of the tour, from the Shrimpers Trust, that well-known Scottish side Southend United are going to take part in a quadrangular pre-season tournament which will include the home side East Fife, near-neighbours Raith Rovers, and the Dark Blues of Dundee
It's to be held at Scottish First Division East Fife's Bayview ground over the weekend of July 16th and 17th with Luggy basing the squad in Stirling for a five-day training camp.
Blues boss Paul Sturrock told www.southendunited.co.uk: "I have taken every side I have ever been manager of on a pre-season tour of some description as I believe it's a vital part of preparing for the season ahead. The facilities at the proposed venue are first class and will hopefully help ensure that we get the right levels of fitness into the squad so we avoid the problems we saw this season. There are also benefits of bonding as a team and ensuring there is a team spirit with new players coming in this summer. I've no doubt the fans will also enjoy the weekend also."
I'm sure we will!
When Dundee United legend Sturrock mentioned that this was to be the case at the Shrimpers Trust Player of the Season awards a couple of weeks ago we are told he spat on the ground, that should guarantee him a good reception from one section of the fans when the tourney kicks-off!
Dundee could certainly do with the dosh as on November 1st, 2010, they were given a record 25-point deduction by the SFL as punishment for going into administration for the second time in seven years, this came with a transfer embargo, and we know how that feels!
Even so, Dundee then went on a 23 match undefeated streak in the First Division beating the previous record set by the Champion team Dunfermline.
Also involved are the other club in Fife, yes, there are two, (in fact there seem to be several!), the Rovers of Raith, and, of course, the south-east Essex 'Scottish' Shrimpers, which include Luggy as boss, his Dundee born son Blair, and skipper Craig Easton!
There was a hope that Hearts would be involved but they should secure third position behind the Glasgow giants in the SPL meaning place in the Europa League at the second which takes place a few days earlier, or possibily the third which though starting on July 28th would seem too close, or they just don't want anything to do with it!
Blues boss Sturrock does some recent history with Raith Rovers, lending them the now released French-Tunisian midfielder Adam Bouzid, though they soon gave him back after only a week.
However, they might be looking at Adam again as a report this week has the Raith youth players being on stand-by for first team duty next season as the club expect to go into the campaign with a squad of just 13 recognised first team players!
Rovers boss John McGlynn has completed one signing though, Morton striker Brian Graham (23), while he hopes to get club captain Grant Murray to put pen to paper when the out-of-contract defender returns from holiday.
Could be some good drinking done over those couple of days, EEB promises to work out some cheap fares and a decent pub crawl ASAP!
You've been warned!
The full pre-season schedule as it stands with another fixture added:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
great_wakering_rovers_confirmed_before_scottish_tour_
as_preseason_schedule_grows_for_shrimpers_679199/index.shtml
So what positions should Luggy be aiming to improve the Shrimpers squad for the Scottish tour? Vote here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/interactive/voting_polls.asp
(Not an exact science, i.e. put attacking central midfielder or striker who lays off Big Baz, but it will give an idea of the thoughts where the team are believed to be weakest.)
The Scottish Saga
The Scotsman kicks it off:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
sturrocks_scottish_roots_come_calling_as_shrimpers_
asked_to_play_in_preseason_tourney_in_fife_667235/index.shtml
The Fifers say yes:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
east_fife_confirm_southend_united_dundee__
raith_rovers_in_preseason_tourney_676627/index.shtml
The Shrimpers ask for a hand out from the Trust:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edz3/
shrimpers_trust_asked_to_make_contribution_
to_preseason_scottish_tour_677456/index.shtml