Southend United: Maher, Lawrence, Ralph and Tilson on troubled times and future prospects

Under the consortium's plans, Southend will be staying at Roots Hall instead of re-locating to Fossett's Farm

The waiting goes on at Southend United, over two months after contracts were exchanged for a takeover of the National League club by a consortium led by Australian businessman Justin Rees.

The formalities cannot be completed until previous plans for a housing development at their Roots Hall home have been unpicked by the local council.

The consortium, though, is effectively running the club and with financial issues which have dogged Southend in recent years easing, a transfer embargo lifted and the team in decent form, the spirits of fans, players and staff have been lifted.

A new training ground is nearing completion and the ground is set for a phased redevelopment, which includes the demolition and replacement of the East Stand, but the last couple of years have been tough - with the very existence of the Shrimpers in doubt on a number of occasions.

BBC Look East has spoken to four people who have been through it all to hear their views on the club's future prospects and reflections on the problems of the past.

Tom Lawrence - the chief executive

Tom Lawrence became Southend CEO in May 2021 and is a member of the consortium

"Our goal is to try and get to a break-even position - we'd like to do that within five years. That's optimistic and is going to take a lot of hard work. The cyclical nature of football, boom and bust, we want to move away from that. We want to move away from being reliant on the fortunes of one owner.

"There are 10 members of the consortium who can pick up the slack if someone falls on harder times but the idea is to get to a break-even position so the club is sustainable as we go through the leagues.

"Going from a situation where I've been working with one owner to working with a group of owners is obviously a change I'm going to have to adapt to but for me it's a real positive, the knowledge they've all got, it's working well at the moment.

"There's been challenging days but everyone at the club has pulled together. We are one big family, we're resilient, we've been galvanised by the issues we've had to grapple with and we're stronger for it.

"For me personally, I made the decision some time ago that I would see it through no matter what and thankfully we are emerging into a brighter future.

"Strong bonds have been forged and I think we're in a good place going forwards. I don't like to dwell on the past, I like positive energy around me - we'll draw a line under it and we'll kick on, but we'll be kicking on from firmer foundations.

"It hasn't been straightforward for the last 18 months at least and there's been some really good people, in the building and out of the building, who have been a fantastic support to me personally and to the (club's) business, local contractors and other companies that have all been patient with us. A line in the sand has been drawn and we're going to kick on."

Kevin Maher - the manager

Kevin Maher played more than 450 games for Southend and has been manager since October 2021

"The news we had of the consortium coming in and the takeover was brilliant for the football club and everyone connected with it. But building blocks have got to be put in place to ensure success going forwards.

"They've taken a great leap of faith. Without Justin [Rees] and all the guys that have come in, we probably wouldn't have a football club. It's important we recognise that and appreciate what they've done.

"There is huge potential. I played in the Championship with the club. It's been a disappointing few years but it feels like it's changing. Momentum can be huge at a football club - you see what Luton have done.

"There's huge parallels there (with Luton) and it's a good one for us as a club to look at and learn from what they've done. We've got a good link there with John Still and seeing how they worked and their consistent message right through. They had bumps in the road but it didn't change what their message was.

"There's a real togetherness throughout the club and that's something you can see at Southend. It was obviously a difficult time and that's why credit goes to the players for how they've carried themselves. It would have been easy for them to down tools, they've never done that."

Nathan Ralph - the captain

Essex-born Nathan Ralph joined Southend from Scottish club Dundee in the summer of 2019

"It's nice to actually focus on the football more now - it felt like we were focusing on everything apart from football.

"On the pitch it's night and day to what it was before. We've got a real game plan that we work towards, everyone is on board with it and we're definitely moving in the right direction.

"It's been (an) eventful (time) and well documented but it's really nice to see the transition to where we are now, compared to where the club could have been at this stage. I'm just really looking forward to where that does take us in the future.

"It (Southend) has so much going for it, the area we're in, close to London, and it's a city now as well. We get a great following every week home and away from the fans and the feeling around the club I think has really changed our mentality.

"I think we've got everything in place. Even earlier on in the season when we had one on the bench, we know we've got a good team and I don't think we need much more to help us. The togetherness of the team has got us through a lot."

Steve Tilson - the supporter and ex-manager

Heybridge Swifts boss Steve Tilson played for Southend for 10 years and managed the club from 2003 to 2010

"Kev's obviously worked with huge restraints over the last couple of years but with the new consortium coming in, things are looking up.

"There is huge potential, a fantastic fan base, the crowd has been 6,000, 7,000 for a National League side that has been struggling, so credit to them.

"Whatever happens this year, I think next year people will certainly be looking to get promotion. That's putting a bit of pressure on Kev, but he'll be looking at that as well.

"I love the club, I've been a supporter, player, manager and Kev was my captain. I'd love to see him do well."