Source: FOOTYMAD
Widdrington welcomes himself to Shrimpers: 'I've had to beg, borrow and steal to get players'
Blues new assistant boss Thomas Widdrington has seen it all before at Salisbury City, so is confident he can create something out of the financial chaos that is SUFC at the moment. Widdrington: 'I'm sure we can get Southend back on the front foot' Tommy Widdrington was the surprise in the new managerial package revealed to the Shrimpers faithful Monday morning as Paul Sturrock's assistant.Widdrington told www.southendunited.co.uk: "This move is a progression for me. Through my backround as a player I have played in all 92 grounds. But to make the step up to management in in the Football League is something that I have wanted to do and the opportunity was too good for me not to consider so I am delighted to be here."As for working with Sturridge, it's all invaluable experience for Tommy. He continued: "The best way forward for my career is to be under the wing of someone like Paul. He has been a massive success wherever he's been. We are very similar in the way we want to play the game and in how we see success being achieved. Paul and I are very much hands on people but at the end of the day Paul is the gaffer and I will do what he wants me to so."However, it's how he can handle the financial mess that the club find themselves in at the moment that concerns Southend fans if he's the man for the job.No worries says our Tommy, I've done it already and got the t-shirt!When he took over at Sailsbury he inherited a team with just four players, blimey even less than us, and despite the well-written about ten point penalty for entering administration, his side still finished 12th in last season's Blue Square Premier, though now they find themselves in the Southern League!Widdrington explained: "I described the situation as being tied upside-down with my wrists bound together over a shark pool. At times I had to beg, borrow and steal to get players and whilst I know the situation at Southend hasn't been fantastic we are confident it's time to take forward steps."'Beg, borrow and steal', no wonder Ron was interested, and as for Tommy 'bound over a shark pool', you have met our chairman!Anyway, the Geordie born new No. 2 concluded by accepting there was only one way for the Shrimpers to go from here, well, other than the high court Wednesday!He said: "There is no point looking in the rear view mirror of the car, you have to look at the front windscreen and it's important that people draw a line because things in football change. Given enough time I am sure we can get Southend back on the front foot."The Widdrington Files Personal informationFull nameThomas WiddringtonDate of birth1 October 1971 (1971-10-01) (age 38)Place of birthNewcastle upon Tyne, EnglandHeight5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)Playing positionMidfielderClub informationCurrent clubSouthend United (assistant-manager)Youth career1987-1990SouthamptonSenior career*YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†1990-1996Southampton75(3)1991→ Wigan Athletic (loan)6(0)1996-1999Grimsby Town89(8)1999-2001Port Vale82(8)2001-2003Hartlepool United56(5)2003-2005Macclesfield Town58(0)2005Port Vale6(0)2005-2010Salisbury City46(2)Teams managed2010Southend United (assistant-manager)* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.† Appearances (Goals).(Assistant Manager information supplied by Wikipedia, for the full article go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Widdrington)
