Southend United were yesterday (Monday) expected to officially unveil David Webb as their new manager within 24 hours.

The 54-year-old resigned from his post as manager of Conference League high-flyers Yeovil Town at the weekend, ready to take over the Roots Hall reigns for a third time.

Blues fans attending Saturday's 1-0 win at Rochdale called for the appointment of Webb or fellow former Southend boss Barry Fry, the current Peterborough United chief, and it looks as though they will be given one of their choices.

The Shrimpers' owner Ron Martin refused to confirm whether or not Webb had the job, only revealing that a new manager would be announced imminently.

"I don't wish to name names at this moment in time, but a new manager will be appointed within the next 24-hours," he said today.

"Our solicitors have been busy over the weekend making arrangements and we have our man. He is a high profile manager who will motivate the players at Southend United and take the club forward."

Martin also added that Blues' players had been kept informed of developments. The Martin Dawn plc chairman flew to Rochdale on Saturday and told the players before the game that a new man was set to take over the Roots Hall hot seat - less than 48 hours after Alan Little's departure.

"The players have been told that our new manager is ready to take over and they will meet him for the First time tomorrow morning," added Martin yesterday (Monday).

Webb is Southend's greatest manager of all time. The former Chelsea, Bournemouth, Brentford and Torquay chief first took over at Fourth Division Blues in June 1986, but left in March 1987, leaving caretaker boss Paul Clark to finish the job and guide the Seasiders into Division Three.

However, Webb didn't stay away for long and was back again in December 1988, this time taking over from Clark. His first season ended in relegation to the Fourth Division.

But the next two seasons would be memorable for all the right reasons. Webb led Blues to successive promotions on a shoestring budget, culminating in a jump up to the old Second Division for the first time in the club's 85-year history, thanks to a now legendary Ian Benjamin goal at Bury.

The next season would be even better for Southend fans, as the Seasiders took what would become the First Division by storm, even topping the table for a few hours on New Years Day 1992 after trouncing Newcastle United 4-0 at Roots Hall.

But Webb walked out on Blues for a second time at the end of the 1991-1992 season, blaming his exit on a row with former chairman Vic Jobson.

Now he has done it again, leaving Yeovil after less than six months in the job, during which time he has guided them to second place in the Football Conference on limited resources.

Webb resigned from his post with the renowned non-league cup-fighters after Saturday's 3-2 home win over Morecambe. Yeovil chairman John Fry confirmed that Webb had left to take up another post. He said: "I'm disappointed that David has left us. But if things don't work out for him at whatever club he is joining we would take him back."

Returning hero - David Webb looks set to make an emotional comeback to Roots Hall

Heads-up - Blues goalscorer Martin Carruthers holds off Rochdale defender Mark Monington during Saturday's 1-0 win at Spotland

Picture: DAVE MONTIER

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