We are delighted to be able to announce that two more players have confirmed to be playing for the Southend United Legends side on Sunday 17th May, but unfortunately one has had to drop out.
The two new players and one old player dropping out bring the total of players for the Southend United Legends to 14.
First up is a player, who also went on to manage a number of Clubs in the football league, with arguably his most successful spell coming at one of Southend United’s rivals Leyton Orient. Martin Ling, who was born on 15/07/1966, came through the ranks at Exeter City as an apprentice. From Exeter he moved to Swindon Town for £25K before Southend United spent £15K to secure his services on 16/10/1986. He was with the Club for nearly five years before he left to re-join Swindon Town for £15K on 28/03/1991. Whilst with the Club, Martin went on to make 152 starts, with a further 13 appearances coming from the bench. He scored 37 goals from midfield. Martin also played for Exeter City, Swindon Town (Twice), Mansfield Town (Loan), Leyton Orient and Brighton & Hove Albion. Once his playing career finished Martin moved into management and went on to manage Leyton Orient, Cambridge United & Torquay United.
The second player to be confirmed is returning having played in the Charity Football Match last year, where he scored a perfect hattrick as the Legends ran out 6-5 winners. Ben Abbey, who was born on 13/05/1978, started his career in the non-league circuit before Oxford United gave him his break in the Football League spending £35K to bring him into the Club from Crawley Town. After having a loan spell at Aldershot Town, Southend United signed him on a free transfer on 27/10/2000. Whilst with the Club, Ben, who is a centre forward, went on to make 21 starts, with a further 10 appearances from the substitutes bench. Ben scored 9 goals whilst with Southend United. Ben also played for Maidenhead United, Crawley Town, Oxford United, Aldershot Town (Loan), Stevenage Borough, Woking, Macclesfield Town, Gravesend & Northfleet, St Albans City, Northwood, Farnborough Town, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Metropolitan Police, Tooting & Mitcham and Slough Town.
Unfortunately, Steve Tilson has had to withdraw from the Charity Football Match and Family Fun Day. He currently manages Basildon Ladies, and they have had a fixture rearranged for Sunday 17th May so he is now no longer able to play.
We are delighted to have Martin and Ben on board, and look forward to seeing them in action on Sunday 17th May.