THE SOUTHEND CURSE

Sol Campbell isn’t the only ex- England captain to have endured a miserable time at Southend – Bobby Moore never managed again after an unhappy spell in charge of the Shrimpers.

The 1966 World Cup winner began his managerial career with non- league Oxford City, then in Hong Kong at Eastern AA, before heading for Roots Hall in February 1984.

Moore sadly couldn’t stop Southend suffering relegation from the third tier at the end of that campaign, and then things almost got even worse. Like with Campbell, financial worries were an issue as the Shrimpers came 20th in the Fourth Division in 1984- 85, narrowly avoiding one of the spots that meant applying for Football League re- election.

A takeover stabilised their fortunes the following season, but Moore fell out with the owner and decided to knock management on the head.

Instead, the West Ham hero later became sports editor of David Sullivan’s newly created Sunday Sport.