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Shotstopper Darryl Flahavan leapt to prominence in south-east Essex after the departure of Andy Woodman, who had been on loan from Brentford. He was rewarded for a string of excellent displays with the Player-of-the-Year award last season, although many believed that he was fortunate to receive the accolade. This year has seen a pathetic dip in form, including the incapacity to claim crosses or command the box at all, and manager Steve Wignall has let him go after 134 first-team matches.
1998/9 Player-of-the-Year Mark Beard was re-signed for the Shrimpers by previous boss Rob Newman in October 2001 on a month-to-month basis, and although he made a number of appearances at the start of the current campaign, the arrival of Daryl Sutch and then Ronnie Henry as replacement right-backs signalled the death knell. His second spell contributed 59 of his 151 career games for the Seasiders.
Stephen Broad was the most unforunate of the trio. The former Chelsea reserve captain always looked at his finest alongside Leon Cort, and many of Southend's best performances came with the pair at the heart of defence. However, Broad was forced to undergo a hernia operation early in the new year, and then suffered a fractured wrist in the final reserve game of the season at Norwich, ruling him out of the campaign closer at Exeter City, ending his Southend spell with 55 apearances and three goals.
Yesterday, after Danny Gay, Damon Searle, Daniel Lunan, Barrington Belgrave and Mark Salter were shown the door, former captain Phil Whelan, who racked up over a hundred performances, including two seasons as skipper, admitted that he would not appear again at Roots Hall. He is unsure whether he will have to undergo another operation on his back, but his degree will hold him in good stead. And another remnant of the Newman era, Daryl Sutch has also parted company with Blues according to the Evening Echo. He joined in January until the end of the 2002/3 campaign.
Bramble had been offered a new deal already, once by Newman, but now also by Wignall. He will return next week to discuss the arrangement with his agent. For Stuart Thurgood and Neil Jenkins, the new deals are a result of hard-work and perseverance, with the former especially working at his game all season. Jenkins contributed seven goals from midfield, although he may now revert to his favoured position of left-back with the departure yesterday of Damon Searle.
It must be hoped that Steven Clark will improve drastically on some of the inconsistent displays that he has produced, although the potential is there for the former West Ham United wide man. Dave McSweeney impressed both Stewart Robson and Steve Wignall as soon as they arrived at the club, and his new deal comes as no surprise.
These actions leave the Shrimpers with just nine contracted players, baring in mind they all sign of course, but Wignall is already looking at bringing in new blood. Luton Town defender Duncan Jupp should join United during pre-season and ex-Colchester United defender Mark Warren has expressed a huge interest in joining up with Wignall at Roots Hall.
The Summer Picture so far looks like this:
IN: Leon Cort, David McSweeney, Kevin Maher, Stuart Thurgood, Tes Bramble, Mark Rawle, Steven Clark, Neil Jenkins, Jay Smith.
OUT: Darryl Flahavan, Stephen Broad, Damon Searle, Phil Whelan, Barrington Belgrave, Daniel Gay, Mark Beard, Gavin Strachan, Daryl Sutch, Tom Jordan, Mark Salter, Brett Darby.
Mark Wallis and Robert Craven
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