Southend United full back Simon Francis joins Charlton Athletic

31 July 2010 10:25
Blues player-of-the-year Simon Francis left the club last month looking for a higher grade of football, and has found it at League One Charlton, where he joins Macca! The last time for this photo, so we're never know who the girl was in the backSouth London continues to be a dumping ground for well paid ex-Shrimpers as full back Simon Francis, the remaining member of the gang of four to find a new club after quitting Southend for a team that wasn't in League Two and who would actually pay him, has laid his hat at Charlton Athletic.He says hi again to midfielder Alan McCormack who joined the Addicks recently, and of course ex-skipper Adam Barrett signed for Crystal Palace last month.Altough Simon left by 'mutual agreement' the club retained his registration, so after talks held over the last week it's been agreed to sell that to Charlton.The Shrimpers will receive an initial upfront payment, would be good to know what that is, with further payments based on Charlton's success. Southend will also retain a 25% sell-on fee, so it seems a good deal all round. Not quite the championship football Simon was after and the Addicks, playing in the third tier of the league pyramid, have financial problems of their own, so it will be interesting if they Parkinson can build a side capable of a promotion challange, especially as Nicky Bailey has buggered off to Middlebrough.We've said our farewells to the latest player-of-the-year to leave, let's hope we stop that unfortunate statistic this season, and wish Simon the best of luck in is new home. The Francis FilesPersonal informationFull nameSimon Charles FrancisDate of birth16 February 1985 (1985-02-16) (age 25)Place of birthNottingham, EnglandHeight1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)Playing positionDefenderClub informationCurrent clubCharlton AthleticNumberTBCSenior career*YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†2002-2004Bradford City55(1)2004-2006Sheffield United12(0)2005→ Grimsby Town (loan)5(0)2005-2006→ Tranmere Rovers (loan)17(1)2006-2010Southend United157(4)* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:55, 11 May 2010 (UTC).† Appearances (Goals).(Player information supplied by Wikipedia, for the full article go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Francis_(footballer)

Source: FOOTYMAD