QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION
WITH KEVIN MAHER, DARREN CURRIE, MARK BENTLEY

Following the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Southend United Supporters Society Limited held in the Shrimpers Bar, Roots Hall on Thursday 23rd October at 8.30pm

After closing the official business at 8.30pm, James Schooley thanked everyone for attending the AGM and welcomed questions from the floor for Southend United Head Coach Kevin Maher and his coaching staff Darren Currie and Mark Bentley.

James Schooley (JS) gave a huge thanks to Kevin (KM), Mark (MB) and Darren (DC) for giving up their evening to attend our AGM.

JS asked how things are going at the moment? KM replied that good progress has been made so far, and that we are on target for 82 points this season. Delighted with the start, although tweaks still need doing. It’s hard to compete against the likes of Forest Green, York and Carlisle, who all have significantly bigger budgets than us. Forest Green have now signed 18 players since the summer.

There’s still a lot of barriers you must deal with, and players have been through tough times when 8000 people are managers and coaches. You have to think how it affects the mentality and confidence of the team, and we are probably overprotective of the players because of this as it can be difficult.

DC commented that back in the day it was great with no social media. You had a bad game, went home and dealt with it, now you must deal with never ending social sites and it’s hard for players taking things to heart. We have to angle coaching for when they need a lift or taking down a peg or two. With subs coming off the bench, some start the game, and some finish the game, but everyone goes home happy. They all have a role to play.

A member asked if there is any news on Noor? KM replied that he will be out for the rest of the season. A nasty ACL injury occurred, and he still has a leg brace on. Hopefully he will be back for next season. He is still coming to the training ground and socialising with the lads.

KM spoke about the training facility and although it is great facility and that we have our own ground, there are still a lot of areas that need improvement.

SD asked what kept the team motivated when 18 months ago they were on the point of collapse? KM said that looking back on the last 18 months the last 3 games of the season were amazing and getting to the playoffs was an incredible feat for the team. KM said that they are so engrossed in the job that you don’t have a lot of time to reflect but credit to everyone, staff, players and the fans. With their connections to the club the motivation keeps everyone going. To almost get promoted and being a tough league to get out of, the sense of realisation of where we are is such an achievement. We all applaud the loyalty of the coaching team. Fans have their views but thank you for your loyalty during the dark days and the dedication.

There were so many stories, and maybe we should write a book about it all. The low point came after the away game at York, where we lost and had two sent off. We appealed, but the National League left it late to tell us the bans were being upheld. It left us with 10 players available for the next match at short notice, and we were here (at Roots Hall) until 11pm the night before the following match, trying desperately to get a couple of bodies in and to see what the National league would let us do.

We were a close-knit bunch, though, and everybody got their heads down and took it a game at a time. Despite the difficulties, the players still knew the size of the club and the support.

JS asked if the team is still ‘work in progress’ and what are you looking for in culture and personality? KM said we’re always looking to improve. We know where we need to strengthen and we have a list of players that we’d like.

DC responded that the ‘man in charge’ (KM) has lived and breathed SUFC for many years. Inspirational people who were brilliant players and now great coaches. Culturally the group of players we adopted 4 years ago were going through the motions a bit, lacking drive and passion. In any job in any industry you just want to look forward into going to work. We’ve instilled that kind of environment, and this has filtered into the players. Whatever anybody’s opinion on tactics and performances, we now have a team we can be proud of, and a group of players who play for the shirt.

AL advised that the next 1st team debutant will be the 1300th player to be signed up. Are there any youth players coming up? KM responded that the college programme is great, but to be fair to the kids they have to prove themselves and it’s important it’s done the right way. It’s a huge job and a big jump.

A member asked how long before Charlie Kendal is back? KM responded about 2 to 3 weeks. A couple of other issues came up, and we have sent him off for some specialist treatment.

TT asked if the main focus will be on the FA Cup run or a league focus? KM said we would love an FA Cup run and will be great to get through the next round. The game at home to Charlton last season was a brilliant occasion, and we came so close to causing an upset. We’d love to get through to the 3rd Round and get a big draw.

SD asked who is the best player you played with? KM, DC & MB all discussed several players and said there are a lot of names, but I think Freddy Eastwood is the one that is up there. His ability to create something out of nothing was unreal. JS asked whether there was any indication during the week he trained with the team before his debut that he’d be as successful as he was – KM said he looked good in training but not stand out, and he wasn’t a good trainer!

A member asked if we have crowds of 8000 why are we still losing money? Lack of self-sustainability. We want to spend money and although budget has been increased slightly it doesn’t mean we have money to buy players, and the Club still loses millions each season. Last year we overachieved on budget, so we must be selective. The budget will probably be different again next year.

A member asked, ‘If we had the money, where would you be looking to strengthen?’ KM said he’d love to spend more money! If money were no object, he’d sign a replacement for Noor Husin, a target man-type No.9 and a centre back.

We have mainly recruited from below, but decided we needed to try to sign a few players from above to get a bit of experience in. The pressure to play in front of big crowds is huge, and you look at players like am Austin and Ben Goodliffe, who have both won promotion from this level. Slavi was someone we felt had potential, but it has taken him a little while to get used to the full-time game and training. Players did a cross-country run when they returned for pre-season, and KM said they were concerned about Slavi’s fitness at the time – he thinks he might have finished behind Benno, which is saying something! But he has put in the work, dropped body fat and put a bit of lean muscle on, and he’s looked ready in his last few appearances.

A member asked if they think Cardwell regrets leaving the club and are you in contact with him? KM said yes, I think he does, but at the time he could not turn down the offer. The change of management hasn’t helped him, either. He is a great lad, was brilliant around the place when he was here, and I can’t speak highly enough of him. Robbie Savage has told 5 players they can leave the club, and HC is one of them.

JS commented that there quite a few contracts up at the end of the season. How do you deal with that, and with having only a handful contracted for next season and not knowing which division we’ll be in? How early do you think about new contracts?

We have club options on a few, but we will also need to be proactive on some. We will probably start talking to them in December. It’s difficult when you don’t know which division you’ll be in next season or what the budget will be, but you have to do your best. Some managers might see the summer as a chance for a big turnover when so many are out of contract, but I like to avoid that if I can and aim for 5-7 changes.

A member asked if the coaches have been able to step back and be proud of the playoff run? KM replied with humour that he hasn’t been able to watch the final back yet, as it still hurts having been so close. Hasn’t really had time to stop and think about it, with the final being so late in early June, and then barely 3 weeks’ holiday before straight back to the new season. It was great for the Club and the city, though.

A member asked if substitutions are put on for the result of the game, or based on how a player is playing? KM said a bit of both. We put out a team and setup that we think will get a result against a given opponent, and we do loosely plan substitutions, i.e. if we think there will be tired legs in the opposition late on, and we have subs on the bench who can come on and make a difference and up the intensity. Events in the match can change those plans, though. We try to play 2 up top as much as possible, and to use our options there, e.g. by changing both strikers at some point in the second half.

A couple of final anecdotes before wrapping up

Where does Keenan get all his energy from? KM doesn’t know, but says he’s a duracell bunny and just keeps going.

Gus’ levels of goals and consistency are astounding. He is managing his hip injury and it’s being monitored. He’s so important to the way that we play.

A member asked about George Wind and why he doesn’t get off the bench? KM said it’s simply Gus’ form. George is a great lad, but anybody competing with Gus for a position at this level and with the form he’s been in is going to struggle. He keeps his head down and ensures he’s ready, though.

Are you surprised at how well Boreham Wood are going? KM said no, they have good players and a good manager who knows the club inside out. They have momentum from last season, and they’ve carried it into an excellent start this season.

Session ended at 9.30pm and JS thanked all for their questions and answers and attending the meeting.