We spoke to Kay Fogg who has been supporting Southend United for almost 45 years, since her dad first took her along aged 10. Some of her first games saw Billy Best, Bill Garner and Peter Taylor play for Southend, and she was a season ticket holder for many years, standing in what used to be called The Paddock. She was in The Paddock for one incredible evening of football in January 1979, when Southend held the mighty European Champions, Liverpool, to a goal-less draw in the FA Cup 3rd Round. Kay is an active member of The Shrimpers Trust and currently administrates the Junior Blues on behalf of the Trust and the Club.
The new season is right around the corner now. What is the mood like among the fans ahead of the new campaign? Are they expecting to improve on last year’s 14th place finish?
We have a strange mix of supporters at Southend, there are those who seem to relish and thrive on pessimism and there are those at the opposite end of the spectrum who prefer to be optimistic about the season ahead. I’m one such, I don’t see any point in being pessimistic even before a ball has been kicked. I think most supporters saw last season as one for consolidation and that this year the hope is that we will be pushing for a play off place. Reality says we’ll probably all be happy to be mid-table again.
How has preseason gone for Southend? What are your thoughts on this summers transfer activity, both in and out?
Pre-season has been ok, started off with a flurry of trialists, and were told that those who were picked to go on the Club tour to Spain would likely be signing. Well, they’ve all gone. We’ve got Nile Ranger in on a month deal with the option to extend. He seems to have enjoyed pre-season, despite clearly lacking match fitness and I think it’s hoped he can provide some much needed height to our attack in time. We’ve also got Simon Cox in up front and he looks quality already. Jason Demetriou and Jermaine McGlashan have also signed over the summer and we’ve taken Mark Oxley in to replace Dan Bentley.
We’re still short a few key players, having lost three over the summer in Dan Bentley (Brentford), Jack Payne (Huddersfield) and David Worrall (Millwall). We all expected Bentley to move on, but were surprised that Payne went. Many of us probably feel it was a season too soon for him.
The transfer window will be open for another few weeks. Are there areas in the team that still need strengthened?
We’ve already been hit by injuries so I think an attacking central midfielder, a winger and probably a centre back are still on the shopping list.
If you could make one realistic signing for Southend this summer who would it be?
We’re still a bit dumbstruck at securing Simon Cox, to be honest! I think a lot of us would quite welcome Anthony Grant back, he’s reported to have handed in a transfer request.
Phil Brown has been in charge of Southend for over three years now. What are your thoughts on him?
Being part of the Supporters’ Trust and also being involved in the Junior Blues, I’ve talked to PB on a number of occasions. I always find him to be chatty and pleasant, however, I know that some supporters don’t have much time for him. They don’t like the amount of time he spends in media work but, personally, I think it’s all extra exposure for our Club.
Are there any talented young players at the club that you believe could have a big future in the game?
Our Academy is bringing through some fantastic young players at the moment under the guidance of experienced manager, Ricky Duncan. I’ve already mentioned Dan Bentley and Jack Payne, but there’s also been Franck Moussa, Kane Ferdinand and others who’ve gone on to other clubs. We’ve also seen two high profile former youngsters in Dominic Iorfa and Isaac Hayden doing well for themselves recently. Of the current crop, we have young Ted Smith coming through hard on Dan Bentley’s success, Ted’s a firm part of the England youngsters’ set up, having represented England at U18, U19 and U20 level. We also have Jack Bridge, a talented midfielder who looks to be ready to break through into the first team plus Kyprianou, Matzusaka and Batlokwa.
What are your expectations for the season? Where do you think Southend will finish?
As already mentioned, I’m more “rose tinted” than some, so I think we’ll be there or thereabouts – just inside the play off places.
Finally, who is your favourite Southend player of all time?
My favourite player is still Freddy Eastwood. What’s not to like about a player who scored his first goal for the Club after just 7.7 seconds, against Swansea City, then went on to score a hat-trick in the same game? Plus, of course, he’ll always be remembered for THAT free kick against Manchester United in the League Cup, resulting in a 1-0 win for Blues on Sir Alex Ferguson’s 20th anniversary in charge of the Club! Freddy was a real crowd pleaser!
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