Southend United celebrated a historic FA Trophy victory after a tense penalty shootout against Wealdstone at Wembley, marking the club's first domestic cup triumph. The win was a cathartic moment for a team that has endured significant hardship in recent years.
Emotional Scenes at Wembley
The noise of 22,000 ecstatic Southend supporters gave away the result before head coach Kevin Maher even saw the winning penalty. Unable to watch, Maher turned away just before Gus Scott-Morriss's decisive spot-kick, only to be embraced by first-team coach Mark Bentley. The pair, along with assistant Darren Currie, have been at the helm since October 2021, guiding the club through a period of turmoil.
Maher and Bentley previously played for Southend during their rise from League Two to the Championship between 2004 and 2006. When they returned as coaches, the club had just lost its Football League status after 101 years. Over 1,670 days, they faced transfer embargos, points deductions, winding-up petitions, and months without pay. The team even collected rainwater to wash kit and used a nearby supermarket for toilets.
A Journey of Resilience
Before the match, Maher gathered the squad in a darkened hotel room to watch a video of messages from loved ones. "It's been a hell of a journey, lads," he said. "Let's go finish it." The video included poignant clips, such as a family flag superimposing a player's head on a shrimp, drawing laughter from the team.
Southend had lost to Oldham in the National League playoff final the previous year, but this season they earned more points and scored more goals, finishing sixth on a modest budget. The team arrived at Wembley at 3 pm, with players unable to go outside for 45 minutes. Some relaxed with headphones, while others laughed at Scott-Morriss's player profiles in the matchday programme, which humorously criticized Harry Taylor's breath and darts ability.
Calm Leadership
Maher's pre-match team talk emphasized unity: "We all go together. Like marines – we leave no man behind." At half-time, he remained calm, telling the players, "Forty-five minutes of the season, chaps. We can be tired in a week's time, can't we?!" He had also apologized to players not in the squad, acknowledging the difficulty of selection.
Suspended player Harry Taylor, who missed the final due to yellow cards, still had his shirt on a peg and supported his teammates without showing disappointment. Goalkeeper Collin Andeng-Ndi saved two penalties in the shootout, and the coaching staff praised goalkeeper coach Anssi Jaakkola for his role.
Community and Future
During celebrations, players included analysts and media staff. Harry Boyes thrust communications manager Matt Mundy in front of fans on his last day at the club. The victory brought joy to long-suffering supporters and marked Southend's first domestic cup.
The future remains uncertain. Owner Justin Rees saved the club from extinction in July 2024 but hinted at changes. Sporting director Oliver Gage was appointed in April, and many players are out of contract. Regardless, Southend's class of 2025-26 will be remembered for their resilience and triumph at Wembley.
