TRANSFER NEWS UPDATE: GOODBYE CAPTAIN KEV and now eight others in total!!!

Last updated : 05 June 2008 By Shrimpers24

Update June 4:  Gary Hooper has been added to the list after Tilly announced that he could not be guaranteed first team with the Seasiders.
"We were honest with Gary about that and asked him what he wanted to do," said Tilson.  "He said he wanted to play regularly so we all agreed it might be best for him to move on.  We will wait and see what offers come in but it has to be right for us and it has to be right for Gary as well."

I'm sure Hereford will be sniffing around, however TLG wishes Hoops the best of luck, a move now seems to be in everyone's best interests.


Strikers Richie Foran, Charlie MacDonald and the man who now will never be king, poor Matty Harrold, have also been added to the transfer list according to the article from the official website that you can click to below.

http://www.southendunited.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~1320617,00.html

Obviously replacements will be needed and the rumours are spreading like wildfire even before the end of May. Kevin Kyle, Leon Clarke returning, we will see, on this site you will have to wait until the signature is on the dotted line and that includes players going in the other direction.

This all follows the release of a quartet of players after the play-off disappointment at Doncaster Rovers on Friday May 16. Tilly has not offered new terms to long-serving midfielder Kevin Maher, full back Che Wilson, defender Lewis Hunt, winger Tommy Black or goalkeeper Steve Collis. And their futures will now lie away from Roots Hall.

"I met the players face to face yesterday to discuss their futures and we wish them all the very best for the future," said Tilson, 41, who has signed striker James Walker on a permanent basis. "I explained my decisions and unfortunately it's something you have to do in football."

Maher's departure signals an end of an era after he made more than 450 appearances for the club during his 10 seasons with the Shrimpers. The midfielder captained the side to successive promotions, as well as two LDV Vans Trophy finals and victory over Manchester United in the Carling Cup. But he fell out of favour midway through last season and ended the campaign on loan at Gillingham.

"Kev has been a tremendous and loyal servant for us," said Tilson. "We've had Alan McCormack and Nicky Bailey play really well for us this season though and we have Franck Moussa coming through too which is why we've allowed Kev to go."

Wilson and Hunt also played a part in the promotions in 2005 and 2006 as the side worked their way into the Championship and the duo earned praise from Tilson.

"Che's just a fantastic professional," he said. "He's a credit to himself and the game but I just think he needs to go out and get games now. Hunty has been with me from day one too and he is another one who needs matches."

Black has left the club after just one season at Roots Hall. He played 45 times but was unlikely to figure as regularly next year, while Collis departs after two years which were largely spent as an understudy to Darryl Flahavan "I just didn't feel that Tommy would be first choice for us anymore," explained Tilson. "And Steve is 27 now. At that age he needs to establish himself as first choice and I'm sure he will do that somewhere."

Tilson has offered full-back Simon Francis a new contract despite having a year left on his current deal. He joins goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan and midfielders Mark Gower, Alan McCormack and Nicky Bailey in being handed a fresh terms. But Tilson denied that he had made contact with Aberdeen concerning striker Richie Foran, who has been linked to the Scottish Premier League side.

So no surprises, Lewis certainly deserves first team football and will be a good addition to another League One squad. The others I see homes at a lower level, Gillingham anyone. (Though I'm sure Borient will be sniffing around as usual.)

Good luck to them all and farewell to Cheese who worked so hard over our promotion seasons and, of course, Mr. Maher, one of the best ever players to wear the blue shirt of Southend.