Southend United Community Foundation and the Shrimpers Trust are delighted to announce the continuation of the Shrimpers Trust’s valued financial support for the Club’s Academy and youth development programme throughout the 2026/27 season.
The partnership represents an investment in one of the most important parts of Southend United’s future: identifying, developing and retaining talented young players capable of progressing through the Club’s pathway and, ultimately, towards first-team football.
The Academy provides young players from Southend and the surrounding area with access to high-quality coaching, competitive fixtures and a structured development environment. Alongside their footballing education, players are supported to develop the discipline, resilience, confidence and professional standards required to succeed both within football and in their wider lives.
The programme continued to demonstrate its value during the 2025/26 season. The Under-17s finished second in their league, missing out on the title by just one point, while the Under-19s secured a fourth-place finish and improved their previous season’s points total by 19 points. The Youth Team also reached the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup, including an impressive victory over Swindon Town before its run came to an end against Wrexham.
These achievements reflect the strength of the pathway being built, but sustaining that progress requires continued investment. The Shrimpers Trust’s contribution will help meet the practical costs of delivering the programme and ensure that players have the equipment, resources and development opportunities needed to represent Southend United to the highest possible standard.
The support also demonstrates the Trust’s longstanding commitment to protecting the future of the Football Club. By investing directly in youth development, the Trust and its members are helping to create a pathway through which talented local players can develop, progress and aspire to represent Southend United’s first team.
This is more than a contribution towards the cost of running youth teams; it is a direct investment in local opportunity, the Club’s footballing identity and the next generation of Southend United players.
Dale Spiby, Chief Executive of Southend United Community Foundation, said:
“We are extremely grateful to the Shrimpers Trust for once again demonstrating its commitment to the future of Southend United.
This generous contribution will make a meaningful difference to our Academy and Youth Team programme and will directly support the experiences and development opportunities available to our young players.
“The Trust has consistently recognised the importance of developing local talent and maintaining a strong pathway towards senior football. Its support represents a genuine investment in the future of the Club.”
James Schooley, Chair of the Shrimpers Trust said:
“The Shrimpers Trust is proud to be entering its 20th season of supporting the continuing development of Southend United’s Academy and youth pathway.
The Club has an excellent track record of giving talented young players the opportunity to develop on and off the pitch, and investing in the future and unearthing the next Dan Bentley, Jack Payne or Oli Coker is enormously important to our members.
We are excited and impressed by the work undertaken to structure the Academy so that it is ready for a return to the EFL, and we’re especially pleased that this funding will provide practical support to the programme and help create positive experiences for players throughout the 2026/27 season.”
The support builds upon the strong relationship between the Shrimpers Trust, Southend United Community Foundation and Southend United Football Club, with all parties sharing a commitment to creating a sustainable future and providing meaningful opportunities for the next generation of players.
Southend United Community Foundation would like to thank the Shrimpers Trust and its members for their continued generosity and invaluable support.