Soccer: Let's hear Roots Hall roar again - Wignall

Making the depressing freefall from the promised land of Division One straight back into the more familiar surroundings of Division Three, had caused more than enough misery for Blues' supporters.

Working towards a better future - Blues boss Steve Wignall catches up on the paperwork

But Wignall was just preparing to put the most sickly of icing on the cake for followers of the Seasiders.

Bottom of the Second Division and already relegated, Southend's demoralised spectators ran on to the Roots Hall pitch and smashed up one of the goals, following a final day 3-1 defeat against Wrexham.

And just a few days later, Wignall rubbed in the humiliation even deeper by leading bitter Essex rivals Colchester to a promotion play-off final triumph over Torquay at Wembley, which effectively saw them trade places with Blues.

But five years down the line, the 48-year-old wants to make it all feel better again for Southend's long-suffering fans.

And with his old club Colchester still holding on to Second Division status, Wignall admitted he was desperate to redress the balance of power in Essex football.

"Managing Southend United is the biggest challenge of my life and it is one I aim to make the most of," said the likeable scouser.

"I want to lift us out of Division Three as soon as possible, but first we have to concentrate on getting results.

"Last season, Southend won 17 games, which is enough for a team challenging for promotion, but they lost 26, which is relegation form.

"The team only had three draws all season and if that number had been something like ten then Blues would have been knocking on the door of the play-offs, which is what we want.

"My first task is bringing together a new team which can bring success to Roots Hall and it is something I am excited about.

"And I am looking for the right quality of player, people who can make a difference at this level and help us get out of this division.

"This is a great chance for Southend and I am aware that I am the person who has been entrusted with taking it.

"I think people have already seen I mean business. I released 13-players at the end of the season and this club has the unique opportunity to build a new team from almost scratch.

"But it means a lot of hard work. I want a squad of 18-20 players next season and after getting them here it is going to take time to make things gel. But that's what I'm paid for."

Wignall began his career at home town club Liverpool, playing in the Reds' A, B and C sides after graduating through the Anfield youth team.

A switch to Doncaster Rovers soon followed, with a loan spell at Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest sandwiched in between further moves for the defender to Brentford and Colchester.

Wignall's final playing stop was at Aldershot, where he also took his first steps in management after the Hampshire side went bust and lost their Football League status.

Under the guidance of Wignall, the newly former Aldershot Town, won promotion from the Ryman Third to First Division in successive seasons.

But their manager soon moved on to another of his old clubs, Colchester, who he guided to play-off final victory and an Auto Windscreens Shield final defeat against Carlisle, both at Wembley.

Wignall stepped down as Layer Road boss in 1999, feeling he had taken the club as far as he could on limited resources and, after missing out on the Southend job to Alan Little, had spells in the Conference with Stevenage and Doncaster.

Wignall also said he would only bring players to Roots Hall who shared his own relentless hunger for success.

"I only want people who want to give everything for this club like me," he said. "I've got a certain way of interviewing players to see if they are on the same wavelength."

"I know the sort of players I want and we'll be looking to have more of a physical dimension next term."

"And there is no way we will just pass our way out of this division. I want to play attacking football and favour a 4-4-2 formation, but we need a system tailor-made for Division Three.

Wignall added: "We have got a great opportunity to do something good at Southend and the first thing I want to do is make Roots Hall a place to fear again.

"When I was a player it was always a hard ground to visit, I think I won here twice and got hammered on about eight other occasions.

"And the fans have got to play their part.

"I know they can get behind this club as I have been on the receiving end of it, especially when I was a Colchester player in the Essex derbies, and I want to hear that Roots Hall roar again."

Published Wednesday, May 28, 2003

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