Southend United Press Conference 3: 'Turmoil at the club - I'm looking forward to the challenge!'

As strange as it seems this sunny Monday morning Tilly is no more and Paul Sturrock has been revealed as the new Southend United manager.

He showed himself as immediately having a sense of humour by announcing: "I looked at the squad today, and we're slightly light of players."

And not so funny: "All managers make mistakes in the transfer market" (Ouch, one for Tilly!)

As for the financial facts around Roots Hall: "I will have players knocking on my door, because some of them still have not been paid."

So he seems fully aware of the situation, or at least what chairman Ron Martin has told him, so as this is a very important appointment, and we seriously wish Paul the best of luck, here's the unedited version of what he told the assembled pressmen.

Sturrock said: "I've been to a few places that have had disappointing and difficult seasons - the challenge is what it's all about and it's what I'm looking forward to. I looked at the squad today and we are slightly light on players so it's important from today to strengthen. There are certain players making a beeline for this club - there are certain players who want to play under myself and for this football club. The chairman has made it plain we will come out of the embargo and that is the key to it all. At the minute we don't even have enough players to play a game!"

Sturrock went on to say that Southend were a Championship side and his aim for next season would be to win League Two; well, it's a good start!

He continued: "I know there are gentlemen in here and in Southend that don't believe it but I'm sure if I can get the players to believe then this club can achieve. These players have got to take the financial side out of their mind. Coming here with the turmoil that I have walked into and tasted today - I'm looking forward to the challenge."

There's some photo's up from the official site, my word Paul's a big boy, 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

Rock on Tommy; the words of the new assistant, here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/southend_united_press_conference_2_
i_dont_have_the_word_impossible_in_my_vocabulary_535197/index.shtml

The Sturrock Files