Soccer: Odds were against Alvin from day one

The 40-year-old former West Ham and England defender reached the point of no return on Friday night after witnessing his side's latest horror show - a 1-0 Roots Hall defeat against relegation threatened Hull City - and decided it was time to call it a day.

Martin looked a lonely figure in the Southend dug-out as he visibly wilted under the heavy burden of another disappointing display from his team and the terrace calls for his resignation.

However, it is surprising that the underfire Blues chief has managed to stick out what has been an impossible task at Southend for so long.

Martin never had the opportunity to become a successful manager at Roots Hall from day one when he was handed the unenviable task of revitalising the Shrimpers' fortunes in July 1997 by ex-chairman Vic Jobson.

Southend had just parted company with former manager and Liverpool star Ronnie Whelan at a time when the club was nose-diving into a dramatic downward spiral.

Whelan's last disastrous season as Blues boss had brought an end to Southend's six-year stint in the First Division which would see the Seasiders face one of the most difficult spells in their history.

Martin promised to revive Southend's fortunes by using the three attributes which served him so well during a 23-year playing career at Upton Park - discipline, hard work and commitment.

If only it was that simple, Martin couldn't be knocked for the hard work he put into rebuilding the club, but he was never allowed to back up his graft in the transfer market as Southend struggled against financial difficulties.

Losing their First Division status cost Southend £1million a year in Sky Television rights and the Shrimpers were also being crippled by the big money wages which were being paid out to players tied up on long term contracts.

However, Martin battled on and had to make do with other clubs' cast-offs as he was forced to shop at the bottom end of the free transfer market to bring in new faces.

He never had a chance of keeping the Blues in Division Two, let alone winning promotion back to the First Division, and it was no surprise when they dropped a division for the second successive season.

Hopes of a quick return to Division Two were boosted by the murmurings of a takeover bid for the club by property developers Martin Dawn plc which would provide the funds to launch a promotion bid

However, the power struggle between former chairman Jobson and present Blues supremo John Main would rage on well into the season and Martin would have to fight on as he was again forced to recruit from the freebie bargain basement.

Martin's team made a perfect start to the season winning four games on the trot, including home and away victories against Second Division Gillingham in the Worthington Cup.

They even gave Premiership side Coventry City a run for their money in the Second Round first leg of the same competition as they narrowly lost 1-0 at Highfield Road.

However, the Shrimpers' league form took a frightening dip and back-to-back defeats against Chester City and Carlisle heralded a dramatic slide down the table - between September and December they would pick up just two wins in 13 league matches.

John Main was finally installed as Southend's new chairman in November after Martin Dawn plc purchased Jobson's majority shareholding in the club.

Money was made available for Martin to strengthen his squad - including £90,000 for Manchester City striker Barry Conlon and £60,000 for Peterborough winger Scott Houghton - but sadly it was too late.

Martin's side had slipped so far into a depressing rut that no matter how hard the Blues manager worked he couldn't find the winning formula as the Shrimpers sank nearer and nearer the Third Division's bottom spot.

Main publicly backed his manager, but Southend's long suffering supporters had seen enough and finally forced Martin to admit defeat as fanpower demanded a change.

Whoever takes over the managerial reigns now is anyone's guess, but one thing is for sure they will face a tough task returning happier times to Roots Hall.

It seems that the good guys like Martin, who must be one of the most hard working, loyal and passionate managers that Southend have ever employed, are always destined to fail.

Dejected - Alvin Martin faces the Press after Southend were knocked out of the FACup by Conference side Doncaster Rovers

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Martin: The factfile

Born - Bootle, Mersey-side on July 29, 1958.

Marital status - Married to Maggie and has three children:Sarah, David and Joseph.

Played 469 games for West Ham during a 23-year career with the Hammers. He usually played as a central defender.

In 1996 Martin moved to Brisbane Road as the player/coach for the Irons' east London neighbours Leyton Orient.

Martin replaced Ronnie Whelan as Southend manager in July 1997 after the Blues had been relegated from the First Division - they finished on the bottom. He told the Echo:"I'd been talking with Vic Jobson and John Adams less than 15 minutes when I knew this as the right move for me."

In May 1997 the Shrimpers finished a miserable season rock bottom again and were relegated into the Third Division.

The 1998/99 season kicked off with four wins in a row, but things then turned sour as the Shrimpers started tumbling down the Third Division.

A 1-0 defeat in the FA Cup at home at the hands of Conference side Doncaster Rovers on November 14 had Southend fans calling for Martin's head.

The 1,000th league game at Roots Hall on December 12 saw the Seasiders humbled 3-2 by fellow strugglers Barnet. A chorus of "Martin out" chants echoed round Roots Hall as the team trudged off.

Blues chairman John Main announced Martin's resignation to 200 Southend fans on the Roots Hall car park through a loud speaker an hour after Friday night's 1-0 Roots Hall defeat by Hull City.

March 1999 - Martin quits after 20 months in charge.

Happy days - Alvin Martin was all beams and smiles when he took over as Southend manager in July 1997

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.