Southend United

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Carlisle United have appointed Tom Lawrence as the club's new chief executive.

He replaces Nigel Clibbens, who left Brunton Park earlier this year after a decade in his post.

Lawrence held the same role at fellow National League side Southend United for the last five years and before that had a similar post with Gillingham.

"Tom has led clubs in both the EFL and the National League and understands first-hand the challenges and opportunities that exist at this level of the game," Carlisle chairman Tom Piatak told the club website, external.

"He has operated in demanding environments, dealt with complex football and business issues and understands the importance of combining ambition on the pitch with strong financial management, commercial growth and accountability throughout the club."

Lawrence's appointment is subject to the required regulatory approval and he will act in an interim capacity for now.

Yeovil have signed striker Slavi Spasov on a two-year deal from Southend for an undisclosed fee.

Spasov scored seven goals in 27 games for Southend last season after joining the club in January, with the club winning the FA Trophy and reaching the National League play-offs.

Teenage goalkeeper Joe Duncan has joined Southend United on a season-long loan from Bristol City for the 2026-27 campaign.

The 19-year-old has yet to make a first-team appearance for the Robins having joined the club youth setup at age 11.

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Southend United have signed wing-back Vontae Daley-Campbell on a one-year deal following his release from League Two side Chesterfield.

The 25-year-old former England Under-19 international began his career in Arsenal's youth system before joining Leicester City in 2019.

He made three starts for the Foxes and had spells with Cardiff and Peterborough before joining Chesterfield where he made 36 appearances in two seasons.

Daley-Campbell previously played under Southend boss Kieron Dyer when he was first-team coach for the Spireites.

Southend United have signed teenage defender Rayan Oyebade on a season-long loan from Championship side West Ham United.

The 19-year-old played 17 times in Premier League 2 for the Hammers last season, also helping them finish runners-up in the National League Cup.

"The goal is to be part of a promotion with Southend United," Oyebade, who has not yet made a senior appearance for West Ham, told the Shrimpers' club website., external

Southend United have signed Merthyr Town midfielder Lewys Twamley on a two-year deal, with a club option for a third year.

The 22-year-old scored 16 goals in 46 National League North appearances last season.

The former Wales Under-19 international started his career with Newport County.

Shrimpers boss Kieron Dyer told the club's website:, external "Lewys had a remarkable season last year. For any player to have over 30 goal involvements in one season is truly incredible."

Southend United have signed former Derby County defender Daniel Cox on a two-year contract with an option for an extra year.

The 20-year-old came through the Derby academy and captained their under-21 side before his release this summer without a senior appearance for the Rams.

Cox becomes the National League side's fourth signing of the summer since Kieron Dyer became head coach.

Southend United have appointed Adam Atay as assistant to new head coach Kieron Dyer.

The 40-year-old moves to Roots Hall from an academy coaching role at Norwich City, having also worked for Aston Villa and Ipswich Town during his career.

He previously worked alongside Dyer at Ipswich with the club's under-18 side.

"I've worked closely with him in the past and he understands how I want the game to be coached and played," said Dyer, who was named as former boss Kevin Maher's replacement earlier this month.

"It's also nice to know Adz turned down an offer to coach at a higher level because he believes in the project we are building here. He will be a big asset for the club."

Hornchurch have signed striker Josh Walker after he was released by Southend.

The 28-year-old scored 10 goals in 63 league appearances for the Shrimpers but was not offered a new contract at the end of last season.

The move to the Urchins will see him link up with boss Daryl McMahon for a second time, having played under him at Dagenham & Redbridge.

"He brings experience, brings quality and also he is a fantastic lad as well," McMahon told the club website., external

Hornchurch have not disclosed the length of the deal Walker has signed.

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Southend United have signed two former National League-winning midfielders - Darren Oldaker from Swindon Town and former Barnet player Anthony Hartigan.

Defensive midfielder Oldaker, 27, captained Chesterfield to the National League title in 2023-2024, before joining League Two Swindon Town last May.

He went on to make 40 appearances for the Robins, scoring once in the league and once in the FA Cup. Southend said he had joined for an undisclosed fee.

Central midfielder Hartigan won the National league title with Barnet in 2024-2025, before making 32 EFL appearances for the Bees in 2025-2026, scoring once. He joins on a free transfer after the expiry of his Barnet contract.

Southend finished sixth in the National League last season, before losing their play-off eliminator away to Scunthorpe United.

They will start the season under former Newcastle United and England midfielder Kieron Dyer who was appointed head coach earlier this month.

Dyer replaced Kevin Maher, who was sacked on 19 May, just two days after Southend's win over Wealdstone in the FA Trophy final at Wembley.

Dyer said: "Both have had promotions from the National League, both are capable of playing to a really high standard in League Two, and probably would be one of the best pairs in that league, so to get them in and joining the project is a massive coup."

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Nathan Ralph, the first Southend United captain to lift a domestic trophy, will leave the National League club when his contract expires next month.

The 33-year-old led the Shrimpers to victory in the FA Trophy final, in which they beat Wealdstone at Wembley earlier this month.

In total, he has made 202 appearances for Southend, scoring 13 goals, and has been skipper since 2022.

"Everyone at Southend United would like to thank Ralph for his contributions and long service," a club statement said.

Ralph came through the youth ranks at Ipswich Town and Peterborough United, making his senior debut while on loan at Kettering Town in 2012.

He went on to play for Yeovil Town, Aldershot Town, Woking and Dundee, before signing for Southend in July 2019.

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James Morton and Tom Hopper are leaving Southend United after helping the Shrimpers beat Wealdstone on penalties to lift the FA Trophy.

Morton started at Wembley on Sunday, while Hopper came off the bench, and both will move on when their contracts expire next month.

Cav Miley, Josh Walker and George Wind are also going when their deals end in June.

Southend have triggered options to keep Oli Coker, Charley Kendall and Harry Taylor, while they have made Harry Cardwell's loan from Forest Green Rovers permanent.

Southend say they are in talks with Collin Andeng Ndi, Keenan Appiah-Forson, Jack Bridge, Joe Gubbins, Noor Husin, Gus Scott-Morriss and Nathan Ralph about new contracts.

Director of football Oliver Gage said: "Firstly, I want to thank every player departing the football club and all of them have contributed positively during their time at Southend United.

"We're pleased to have retained a strong core within the squad, while also creating room to make targeted additions and improvements."