Barry Fry

It is difficult in hindsight to imagine what a gamble Vic Jobson took when he appointed Barry Fry. Barry had managed non-league Barnet for many years and had a very stormy relationship with his chairman Stan Flashman. He was know a little for his extrovert manner, but it was a gamble to bring him to a Division One club.<br><br>However it was a stroke of genius, he took a good squad with some excellent players, including Stan Collymore and Chris Powell and made them believe in themselves. Southend were 23rd with 9 matches to play and heading for division 2 when he took over, but five victories including never to be forgotten wins over Sunderland and West Ham ensured survival. <br><Br>Stan went for over £2,000,000 in the summer and Barry spent some of the money good replacements. He and his management team worked well with the players and the Blues flourished, storming up to third in the table by late November. However David O'Sullivan wanted Barry to join Birmingham City and Barry wanted the challenge of 'Waking the Sleeping Giant' so he left and has always been known by most of the fans as Judus.<br><br>He had got Southend playing excellent attacking football, had an enormous enthusiasm for the game which he transmitted to the fans and bought and sold some of the best players to ever grace the blue shirt. He has subsequently admitted that he would have had his best chance of becoming a Premiership manager if he had stayed at Southend.