Seasiders have turned to their former manager in a late push to avert relegation from League Two after long period of strife
As Phil Brown fielded questions after his return to Southend United last week, staring back at him during his virtual unveiling, on a wall behind one of the journalists, was a canvas that perfectly captured the story: Roald Dahl’s Tales of the Unexpected. Three years after being placed on gardening leave by the club, Brown is back, tasked with digging Southend out of an almighty hole. With five games to go, they are on the brink of successive relegations and their 100-year stay in the
Football League is in danger of ending.
How did they get here? Four years ago, under Brown, they were one point away from a League One play-off place but have been sinking fast since, winning only 16 of their past 97 matches. They have chopped and changed managers – five have been and gone in the time Brown has been away – so when the chairman, Ron Martin, sacked Mark Molesley, appointed as Sol Campbell’s successor last summer, he turned to a familiar face.