The 2025–26 Southend United F.C. season was Southend United's 120th season in existence, and their fifth season in the National League after their relegation from League Two in the 2020–21 season. The club competed in the National League, the FA Cup, and the FA Trophy. It was Kevin Maher's fifth season in charge of the club since his appointment as head coach on 20 October 2021.
On 17 May, Southend United beat Wealdstone 4–2 on penalties at Wembley Stadium in the FA Trophy final, to win the first trophy in the club's history. Goalkeeper Colin Andeng Ndi saved Wealdstone's first two penalties, with Jack Bridge and Joe Gubbins both scoring their spot kicks. Charley Kendall was denied, however successful penalties from Harry Boyes and Gus Scott-Morriss meant that Southend won the shootout.
Pre-season and friendlies On 8 June 2025, the club announced that 18 players from the previous season would remain at the club, with 2 players, Danny Waldron and Jack Wood, set for release on 1 July 2025. James Golding and Ben Goodliffe both returned to their parent clubs after loan spells. Macauley Bonne was offered a new contract, but officially left the club on 11 August 2025.
On 19 June 2025, Southend announced their first signing of the season, with Bulgarian centre-forward Slavi Spasov joining the club from National League South side Slough Town. The club announced three more permanent signings before the start of the season, with Sam Austin joining from Notts County, Harry Boyes joining from Sheffield United, and Ben Goodliffe returning to the club on a permanent basis from Colchester United, after spending the second half of the 2024–25 season on loan at the club.
The club also signed Andy Dallas on loan from Barnsley on 8 August 2025, with the Scottish centre-forward joining until the end of the 2025–26 season.
Southend United announced 6 friendlies against Cardiff City, Bishop's Stortford, Luton Town, AFC Wimbledon, Slough Town, and Charlton Athletic.
Competitions Southend played in the National League in the 2025–26 season, as well as in the FA Cup and FA Trophy.
National League
Results summary
Matches - Regular Season Southend United's fixtures were announced on 9 July 2025.
Play-offs
Southend entered the play-offs after finishing 6th in the National League. This meant that they would face the team who finished in 5th, which was Scunthorpe United.
FA Cup
On 29 September 2025, Southend United were drawn at home to Folkestone Invicta in the FA Cup fourth round qualifying.
FA Trophy
On 17 November 2025, Southend were drawn at home against fellow National League side Truro City, with the game set to take place on 13 December 2025.
In the following four rounds, Southend United were drawn away against Bath City, Chatham Town, Horsham, and Southport. After winning all of these matches, they are set to face Wealdstone in the final at Wembley Stadium on 17 May 2026.
Squad statistics
NameLeaguePlay-offsFA CupFA TrophyTotalDisciplineAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals1GKOwen Mason7000002090002DFGus Scott-Morriss40+11510104+1246+2171403DFNathan Ralph22+1200203027+12504DFGeorge Wind2000000+102+10006DFBen Goodliffe31+8200215038+83327MFJack Bridge3+2910+10206311+304108MFNoor Husin6000000060209FWAndy Dallas37+41710202+1042+5174010MFSam Austin29+174000+105+1134+1951011FWJosh Walker9+196000+211+3110+2685014FWTom Hopper13+264001+102+3016+3041015DFJoe Gubbins30+30100+202+2033+708016DFHarry Taylor43010205051011117MFCav Miley23+900+101+102026+11010018FWSlavi Spasov10+167001+122+1013+1891019MFLeon Chambers-Parillon12+1520+10203+1117+1730020MFAlfie Massey2+200000002+200021FWHarry Cardwell7+3210003111+331022MFKeenan Appiah-Forson27+132100+101+4129+1830023MFJames Morton16+17010104+2022+1901024FWCharley Kendall16+1280+10002+4218+17101025MFNoah Mawéné0+30000000 +300026DFJames Golding12+3210002+1015+423028MFOliver Coker26+13610205034+1364030GKColin Andeng Ndi33+1010004038+100033DFHarry Boyes44110101+4047+4160Player(s) who featured but departed the club during the season:1GKNick Hayes600020008010
Transfers
In DatePos.NameFromFee1 July 2025MF Sam Austin Notts CountyFree1 July 2025FW Slavi Spasov Slough TownFree2 July 2025DF Harry Boyes Sheffield UnitedFree8 July 2025DF Ben Goodliffe Colchester UnitedFree
Out DatePos.NameToFee17 August 2025MF Mikey Faulkner Bowers & PitseaFree15 January 2026DF Adam Crowther Chelmsford CityUndisclosed15 January 2026GK Nick Hayes Hartlepool UnitedFree
Loaned out Date fromDate toPos.NameFrom24 October 20251 January 2026FW Jack Stone Grays Athletic4 November 20258 January 2026DF George Wind Hornchurch27 November 202514 January 2026DF Adam Crowther Boston United13 February 202631 May 2026DF George Wind Aveley14 February 202615 March 2026FW Jack Stone AFC Sudbury
Loaned in Date fromDate toPos.NameFrom8 August 202630 June 2026FW Andy Dallas Barnsley4 December 202531 May 2026FW Harry Cardwell Forest Green Rovers20 January 202626 April 2026GK Owen Mason Mansfield Town16 February 202631 May 2026DF James Golding Oxford United10 March 202631 May 2026MF Noah Mawéné Preston North End20 March 202631 May 2026MF Alfie Massey Millwall
Released / Out of Contract DatePos.NameSubsequent clubJoin date1 July 2025FW Danny Waldron Brackley Town1 July 20251 July 2025MF Jack Wood Walton & Hersham1 July 20251 July 2025FW Macauley Bonne Maldon & Tiptree11 October 2025
References