PHIL Brown will become a share-holder in Southend United when he signs a unique new contract with the club.

The Shrimpers boss expects to finally put pen to paper on a three year deal this week.

And an innovative clause inserted in the contract will see Brown handed shares in the League One side which he can sell back to chairman Ron Martin when he leaves Roots Hall.

“It’s the clauses in the contract that have taken a while to sort out and one of them will see me become a share-holder in the football club,” said Brown, 56.

“We’ve had to work that out and it’s something the League Manager’s Association said they have never seen before.

“They think it’s very innovative of the chairman because it’s a clause which will reward a manager for success.

“I do also think it’s a great time to be investing in Southend United due to us having won promotion and with the plans for the new stadium so it’s something I’m happy about.

“And I also expect to sign the contract this week.”

The deal is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the country.

But it is a success related clause chairman Martin has long thought of introducing.

“It’s an innovative deal but it’s incentive based and will reward continuity which I think is important,” said the Shrimpers supremo.

“Phil will be able to cash the shares in and sell them to me when he leaves the football club and the better he does the more money he will get back.”

However, once Brown does sign the new deal, he is keen to immediately make sure assistant manager Dave Penney and first team coach Graham Coughlan follow suit.

“I want them to be the next two to sign after my situation is sorted and I do expect a lot more to be happening in the next two weeks,” Brown added.