SOUTHEND United have yet to decide whether or not their academy will continue next season.

The Shrimpers have now lost all EFL funding to help bring through their own players after being out of the League for two years.

And concerned parents of the club’s youngsters are still waiting to find out what will be happening next.

One parent, who did not wish to be named, told the Echo: “Nobody knows what is going on.

“We’ve had no communication or clarity about next season’s plan and it’s leaving players, parents and even staff in the dark.

“The staff still at the club have been brilliant in the academy but it does seem like they’re fighting a losing battle and it’s not fair on them as well as so many kids that they don’t know what’s going to happen next.”

Those youngsters still on Blues’ books will become free agents at the start of July but the Shrimpers board must still decide their next move.

One option is to scrap the academy all together while another is to continue with just the under-18 team.

Academy manager Mark Patterson, who joined the Shrimpers in July, has now left his role to take up a position with a League One club.

Blues have brought through a number of their own players in recent seasons, with the likes of Daniel Bentley, Jack Payne, Dru Yearwood and Henry Sandat all rising up through the ranks.

But questions over the future of the academy are not helped by the uncertainty right at the top of the club, with owner Ron Martin continuing to insist the Shrimpers are up for sale.