Trust Statement – 2nd April 2026

We have taken some time to digest Southend United FC’s statements from yesterday regarding an organisational restructure, and we’d like to offer the following observations.

It is always sad to see long-serving and loyal employees leave. Redundancies are commonplace in certain industries, but seeing local people lose their jobs at a local business that is so deeply embedded in the community will always cause alarm. However, we know that these decisions have not been taken lightly, and trust that the changes have been made with the best interests of the football club in mind.

We’d like to place on record our gratitude to the three departing staff members named yesterday. To John Still for helping to turn the Club’s football department and recruitment around; to Jason Demetriou for his long and loyal service as everything from outfield player to emergency goalkeeper and from caretaker manager to scout across nearly a decade; and to Tom Lawrence for giving so much both personally and professionally to keep Southend United’s head above water when it looked so likely to drown, and for the work he has done under the new ownership to help turn the ship around and increase revenue streams. All three will be remembered with boundless appreciation and fondness. Their considerable football experience and operational knowledge will be difficult to replace, but we’re sure the right successors will be found.

We are aware that several other long-standing employees will be departing too. They also go with our heartfelt thanks for their diligent work and loyalty behind the scenes to keep the Club running whilst going without their salaries for months on end. We wish them all the best for the future.

Words such as ‘reorganisation’ and ‘restructure’ will always stoke the fires of concern. However, the very definition of insanity in any business that loses more than £2m per season is to keep doing the same thing. COSU has had over a year to review the business, and they believe that this reorganisation will help the Club to meet its on-pitch and off-pitch objectives. The changes may work, or they may not work, but we support COSU’s right to try something different and look forward to seeing how things pan out. The job of turning this football club around was never going to be a quick or easy one. Things won’t change overnight and new initiatives will need time to bed in, so patience is required.

As we enter the business end of the season, now is the time to focus energies into supporting Kevin Maher, Darren Currie, Mark Bentley and the players, and cheering them onto what will hopefully be two trips to Wembley. We as supporters can make a huge positive difference, so let’s back the boys to the hilt!

Previously issued Statements can be found below.