Tommy Widdrington: 'Massively important for everyone to get behind Southend'
Well, he's known as a no-nonsense northerner, and after working for a club in financial difficulties who received a 10-point penalty and a drop down two divisions into the Southern League, joining Southend must seem like a stroll around Priory Park.
In fact, if the penalty had not been in place Sailsbury City would have finished in 6th place in the Blue Square Premier!
Speaking to the press conference Widdrington said: "It's a great opportunity to work with someone like Paul. Earlier you used the word 'impossible' challenge - I don't have that word in my vocabulary. It's massively important for everyone who loves and wants Southend to achieve to get behind them."
About the club he's left behind, where Widdrington's assistant Mikey Harris and captain Darrell Clarke have been put in temporary charge, the Geordie born player has been speaking to BBC Sport.
He said: "I've enjoyed my time at Salisbury. I know the board have the ambition to help them achieve the goal of returning to Blue Square Premier."
Meanwhile, City chairman William Harrison-Allan was sad to see his manager leave: "It's a terrific opportunity for him to return to the Football League. He's worked extremely hard for us during his time here and we wish him all well. I'd like to thank everyone connected with Slisbury City unreservedly for helping me over the five years I've been here."
There's some photo's up from the official site re the press conference here: www.southendunited.co.uk/page/Gallery/0,,10444~2084508,00.html
For the first words of Paul, go here:
http://www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/southend_united_press_conference_1_
no_contracts_signed_yet_as_ipswich_friendly_in_doubt_535193/index.shtml
For the second lot:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/southend_united_press_conference_3_
turmoil_at_the_club__im_looking_forward_to_the_challenge_535198/index.shtml
The Widdrington Files
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas Widdrington | ||
| Date of birth | 1 October 1971 (1971-10-01) | ||
| Place of birth | Newcastle upon Tyne, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Southend United (assistant-manager) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1987-1990 | Southampton | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1990-1996 | Southampton | 75 | (3) |
| 1991 | → Wigan Athletic (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 1996-1999 | Grimsby Town | 89 | (8) |
| 1999-2001 | Port Vale | 82 | (8) |
| 2001-2003 | Hartlepool United | 56 | (5) |
| 2003-2005 | Macclesfield Town | 58 | (0) |
| 2005 | Port Vale | 6 | (0) |
| 2005-2010 | Salisbury City | 46 | (2) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2010 | Southend United (assistant-manager) | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
(Assistant Manager information supplied by Wikipedia, for the full article go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Widdrington)