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Concerning situation at Southend forces player to leave in order to provide for his family

The concerning situation at Southend United forces player Steve Arnold to leave in order to be able to provide for his family.

The Shrimpers moved to sign experienced goalkeeper Steve Arnold in the summer of 2021, joining after leaving Northampton Town and put pen to paper on a two-year deal at the Roots Hall outfit.

The 6ft 5in stopper kickstarted his professional career with Norwich City, and twice previously helped Forest Green Rovers to the National League playoffs before joining Dover Athletic.

He also had spells in the Football League with the likes of Wycombe, Stevenage, Shrewsbury before he joined the Cobblers.

He helped the club earn promotion in his first season at Northampton, playing in the 2020 League Two playoff final in June 2020, then signed for National League club Southend United.

In May 2022, he was voted the club’s player of the season, but in the summer of 2023, had to leave despite wanting to stay.

CLUB STATEMENT:

We can confirm that goalkeeper Steve Arnold has left the club at the end of his contract to join EFL League Two club Sutton United.

Steve was a popular member of the squad and the local community and made 51 league appearances for Blues, winning our Player of the Season Award in 2021/22.

Arriving at the club from Northampton Town in the summer of 2021, Arnold became our first choice goalkeeper immediately and kept 10 clean sheets across that season, being voted the supporters’ standout player of the campaign by a margin.

Last season, he struggled with a hip injury, but thankfully returned to action towards the end of the campaign and featured in the wins against Scunthorpe and Wealdstone.

Everyone at Blues wishes Steve all the best.

“Coming towards March, April, May you start to think about what’s going to go on with the club,” said Arnold, as per Echo News.

“I spoke to the gaffer all the time and I wanted to stay.

“We had our end of season meetings but not a lot could be said because the gaffer didn’t know too much other than the fact the takeover was in the pipeline.

“No-one could say when it would happen and it’s daunting for the players out of contract.

“Come the 1st July we’re out of contract and we need to provide for our families.

“As the weeks went on, nothing happened.

“The way Sutton spoke got me and it made it even tougher to make the decision.

“It really was such a tough decision but I have to put my kids and my family first.

“I have to provide for them but I’m gutted to go.

“I think it’s definitely the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make and that’s no disrespect to Sutton because I can’t wait to get going there.

“I’ve said before just how much I love this club.

“It’s a funny club and it really gets under your skin.

“Despite everything that went on you still wanted to be there and be part of it.

“Considering how it all panned out with demonstrations on the pitch when Phil Brown was there and the troubles this year, I still look back fondly on it all.

“The club got me massively.

“The way Southend got under my skin I’ve never had that before.

“That’s credit to the fans because the way they support you, it’s just not a National League club.

“The sooner everything gets sorted at the club the better and I can’t wait to see it take off.”

“It sounds a bit cringey but I’ll be a genuine Southend supporter now.

“I said to the gaffer yesterday that when I haven’t got a game and you have I’ll come down.

“It’s that sort of place with people behind the scenes that make it like that which is credit to the club itself.

“With Sutton we didn’t speak about wages to start with but they said they were interested in me and asked if I would be interested in them,” said Arnold.

“I explained the situation with Southend and said that was my first thought but said I was really quite interested.

“I spoke to Sutton again and they’re really good guys, like the gaffer.

“They’re proper good genuine football blokes and that made it difficult as well.

“If I hadn’t got that good feeling from them I would’ve been right I’m going to stay with Southend.”

“They want to go places and it’s run so well.

“They train at QPR’s old training ground and it’s lovely.

“They want to go again but League Two is going to be very tough this year, especially with Wrexham and Notts County coming up.

“It’s an exciting time though and I can’t wait to get going.”

Here’s what fans said as the concerning situation at Southend United forces player Steve Arnold to leave in order to provide for his family…

@pchristophers: Cheers for your part in reviving our club @ArnBoat and all the best for the future. You’ll be guaranteed a warm round of applause should you return to Roots Hall again.

@antsk: Real shame, but completely understand. All the best for the future @ArnBoat. Always welcome back

@brownclaire78: Wishing you all the best @ArnBoat for your future and a massive thank you for your support for Chazz over the past 18 months 🫶💙🤍🦐

@SUFCGEORGE5:
SUPER STEVE ARNOLD IN GOALLLLLLL
Good luck at Sutton Steveeeeeeeeee

@VanThorb: Good luck Stevie lad 🤜

@KirstyNye3: Good luck super steve wish you all the best for the future. Once a shrimper always a shrimper 💙

@gafferwoody: Sad to see Steve go let’s hope it’s not the 1st of many. We need positive news out of the club

@Badgersno1: Best of luck @ArnBoat, some great performances and memories for us. Sad to see you go

@tommy2holes: Good luck Steve. Top man and a top player.

@NickLapwood: Gutted 😞 Good luck at Sutton Steveeeeeee

@JamesRBeattie: He will be missed. Good luck Stevo

@V2Neco: Great keeper and an equally as great guy, good luck @ArnBoat

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