Former Southend United boss Phil Brown discusses club's potential

The Shrimpers host another of Brown’s old teams, Kidderminster Harriers, in the National League tonight.

READ MORE: Dyer says he must improve on sidelines for Blues

But Brown feels long term Blues will not be able to work their back up to where they were during his first spell in charge unless big funds can be generated.

“When I was there, there was a big expectancy level,” said Brown.

“We were in the second division, we got promoted through the play-offs to the first division and then we missed out on the last day of the season to get into the play-offs to try and get into the Championship. 

“At that time, I’ve got to say my chairman afforded me a budget that was probably far too big for the first division. 

“But I was telling them about long-term planning and getting to the Championship.

“If you get there you’re amongst the big boys but the budget goes from, at the time, probably in the region of £1.5 to £2million in the first division to £10million, £12million or £15 million minimum in the Championship.

“Nowadays it’s even more and you’re probably paying that for one striker.

“That’s what you’re competing with and being able to afford that would have been difficult for Southend United unless they got new or refreshed investment - and I’m talking about big investment.”

And that is where Brown’s views on Roots Hall come to the fore. 

“There’s a lot of people willing to put money into football clubs but the downside for Southend was that the ground was in a dilapidated state,” said Brown.

“It was falling apart, and it needed fresh investment with regards to possibly moving to another stadium. 

“That was in the throes of something big going on behind the scenes and it never came to fruition.

“Because of that I think the best they can hope for is the second division. 

“If they move from Roots Hall, then maybe you’ve got an option, a movement towards the first division and the Championship eventually. 

“But at this moment in time, if they got promoted to the second division, that’s where they belong - and they need to refresh and move away from Roots Hall as much as I love it.”

Blues had notoriously looked to move into a new stadium during Ron Martin’s controversial spell as the club’s chairman.

But since the consortium headed up by Justin Rees took control of the club the plan is now to develop Roots Hall and build a completely new East Stand.

Changes have already been made on the pitch this season with Kieron Dyer in charge.

And Brown does his best to track the Shrimpers’ results which have been promising so far this season.

“With Kieron Dyer coming in, it was a shock to start off with, but he’s started off so well - I think they’ve won three out of three in the league,” said Brown.

“I’ve got to say though, it’s really difficult for me to go to the teleprinter on a Saturday to see how all my former clubs have done - as a player, as a coach, as a manager.

“I can spend at least an hour just watching how they’ve done, seeing how they’ve played and who’s doing what.

“Then I’m working for the BBC or I’m working for TalkSPORT or whoever it is and you’ve got to focus on that game.

“There’s a lot of work at weekends, but I love it.

“I absolutely love it.”

But Brown – who had two spells in charge of the Shrimpers - holds no grudges against his old sides.

“I’ve not got too many grievances about clubs that I’ve managed before - apart from probably the owner more than anything else, but you don’t really speak to them again,” said Brown.

“You’ve still got the affinity with the football club if you’ve done a half-decent job and therefore I love going back to clubs where people do respect what you were trying to achieve.

“Southend’s certainly one of them.”

>Phil Brown was speaking to OLBG.