Before, during & after Southend
Teenage defender Charlie Sayers progressed through Southend's youth set-up and was called into the first team during its opening National League months. Comfortable on the left side of defence, he made six league appearances without scoring despite his young age.
His development attracted Premier League interest, and Tottenham Hotspur signed him in December 2021, giving Southend an academy-graduate transfer at a difficult time for the club.

