Breaking News Demetriou now employed as Chief Scout.

[IloveShrimp]

Is he retiring?

Did you not read the article?

 

[gatecrasher]

I've nothing bust love and respect for all Demi did in his time with us. Stuck out the hard times, always gave his all, could play anywhere and was a solid 7 out of 10 most games. Now hearing his reasons why he couldn't continue I completely get it and why he would move on.

Thank you Jason, not many players stay at one club beyond 5 years, wish you well in your coaching career going forward.

 

[EastGreenNutter]

Good luck to him in whatever he does, legend in my eyes, stepped up when we needed him most, most on here said he couldn't do it, He done it and more.
Thank you for helping save our club.

 

[Fairport]

JD was interviewed on BBC Essex earlier by Glenn Pennyfather, Jason says he is still in contact with Kevin Maher about a possible role in the club. Therefore the door is not completely shut.

 

[kentblues]

Kev wanted him to stay as player coach but I think Jason felt he didn’t have another season in him- he could have agreed and then hardly played but he’s not that sort of guy it seems to me. To his credit. Apparently on opportunity may be open for him as coach/manager at an NLS club.

Unfortunately it seems we had not budgeted (at least sufficiently if at all) for him to stay in a coaching only role.

 

[BoyWonder2]

Kev wanted him to stay as player coach but I think Jason felt he didn’t have another season in him- he could have agreed and then hardly played but he’s not that sort of guy it seems to me. To his credit. Apparently on opportunity may be open for him as coach/manager at an NLS club.

Unfortunately it seems we had not budgeted (at least sufficiently if at all) for him to stay in a coaching only role.

And this is where the lack of a under 23/B side or even an academy is doing for JD, as I’ve said before.

I think JD will go on to be an excellent coach, he is a real student of the game, and I hope it’s with us.

 

[Ayrshire Blue]

This has probably bothered me a lot more than it should have done. But I have to say I think it’s in extremely poor taste there was no official club announcement of JD’s departure. He was here for 8 years and endured a lot of hard times in that period and even filled in as manager. To have gone without so much as a “thanks for your services” is incredibly poor.

I hope it’s just an oversight and I don’t want to come across like I’m slagging anyone off who works at the club behind the scenes as they’re all still stretched to their absolute maximum. I just think this is a shame it went under the radar.

 

[Strykr]

This has probably bothered me a lot more than it should have done. But I have to say I think it’s in extremely poor taste there was no official club announcement of JD’s departure. He was here for 8 years and endured a lot of hard times in that period and even filled in as manager. To have gone without so much as a “thanks for your services” is incredibly poor.

I hope it’s just an oversight and I don’t want to come across like I’m slagging anyone off who works at the club behind the scenes as they’re all still stretched to their absolute maximum. I just think this is a shame it went under the radar.

Thats a fair point. Im not a big fan, but not making some sort of statement isnt cricket.

 

[Fairport]

According to Chemsford City fans forum Jason has been training and maybe coaching with them for the past few weeks.

 

[in the know]

As I understand it, trained with Chelmsford who would like him to consider a future role while hes also doing some other coaching work. In the meantime very regular discussions have been ongoing with kev and the consortium in respect of keeping him tied to southend in a capacity that helps the coaching team in various ways. This is why nothing's been announced by the club. Believe things are quite close to getting finalised.

 

[united we stand]

As I understand it, trained with Chelmsford who would like him to consider a future role while hes also doing some other coaching work. In the meantime very regular discussions have been ongoing with kev and the consortium in respect of keeping him tied to southend in a capacity that helps the coaching team in various ways. This is why nothing's been announced by the club. Believe things are quite close to getting finalised.

Excellent news, reading other posts I’m looking forward to the day when our default reaction to something which looks bad is ‘ there must be more to this , let’s wait and see’ rather than assuming the club is xxxxing useless ( which in the past was often a fair assumption)

 

[BEERMONSTER]

Excellent news, reading other posts I’m looking forward to the day when our default reaction to something which looks bad is ‘ there must be more to this , let’s wait and see’ rather than assuming the club is xxxxing useless ( which in the past was often a fair assumption)

As they say a good point well made. There is a few that need to take on board that the Tar is definitely not being applied by the same old brush!

 

[Whispering Bob]

Thanks for the great, loyal, service Demi. Wishing you well for the future.

 

[Cricko]

Demetriou Becomes Chief Scout

The official website of Southend United FC

www.southendunited.co.uk

Southend United are delighted to announce the appointment of Jason Demetriou as Chief Scout.

Demetriou decided to call time on his Southend playing career recently after eight years at Roots Hall, making 260 appearances in all competitions.

However, both parties were keen for his time at the Club to continue, and now the 36-year-old takes up a position on Kevin Maher’s backroom team, assisting the Head Coach and Head of Football, John Still, in player recruitment and match preparation.

Following Demetriou’s appointment, Kevin Maher said: “It was important that we kept someone with Jason’s knowledge and understanding of the club around.

“We lost people this summer with experience, so it was important that we kept some about. Jason’s going into a coaching career that he wants to start off and we felt there was a need for an area that he can add to.

“So, I’m delighted to have him back on board and he will be great to work with the players at the right time and also in the scouting side of things as well.”

Arriving in Essex from Walsall in 2016 after also playing for Leyton Orient and for two clubs in Cyprus, Demetriou quickly became a fans’ favourite for his committed performances. Alongside his domestic career, he earned a wealth of experience in international football, featuring 51 times for Cyprus between 2009 and 2019.

Speaking more on the role itself, Maher sees Demetriou’s return to the Club as a vital way of forging good relationships with other clubs.

“It’s important he comes in when needed to coach, whether that’s with individuals as well, but also to have someone who can watch opposition to have a look at what we’re going to be facing and work with Lewis [Gates] on the analysis side.

“I’m going to get him out watching players and games as well. He’ll have good knowledge of how we work and what we look for, so he’ll help on that side.

“He’ll go out and build good relationships with academies, especially local ones, to hopefully be the first in the queue when the good players become available.”

 

[Blues ‘n’ twos]

Nice touch from the club!
Loyalty rewarded

 

[Roger The Alien]

I thought he signed for Chelmsford City

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Absolutely brilliant news. Demi displayed loyalty to the club through really tough times and was a shining light for the club in the community
He will do a fantastic job in his new role

 

[Uncle_Rons_Teapot]

A great move

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

That’s the first mention of Lewis Gates isn’t it? Presumably the new analyst from when they advertised that job.

Really like that Maher specifically mentions building up relations with local academies. Even if results on the pitch are currently disappointing we need someone who can build the club back up and he clearly gets that and is looking at the bigger picture, not just the next match.

 

[thenobster]

I really like this. Nice one JD