Southend United legend unable to work after blood clot

In a bid to support Micky Stead, the Southend Ex-Player’s Association, part of the Shrimpers Trust, has organised a football match to raise cash. 

Micky, who played for the club between 1978 and 1985, was in intensive care for more than two months earlier this year after he was diagnosed with a blood clot and complication left him requiring surgery. 

Club great - Micky Stead (Image: Shrimpers Trust)

Though able to return home on July 18, Micky currently cannot work and walks with a frame and does not expect to be able to return to his job he relies on to survive and pay rent.

The Ex-Player Association, of which Micky has been a strong supporter for eight years, have organised a match on October 20 at Bowers & Pitsea’s Len Salmon Stadium – featuring a Southend United legends team playing against a team run by charity the Carli Lansley Foundation, who raise awareness of heart conditions.

Organiser of the Southend United Ex Player’s Association, Andy Leeder, is supporting Micky in his time of need, calling him “Mr Consistency.”

Recovery - Micky recovering from the blood clot (Image: Shrimpers Trust)

Hero - Micky at a SUEPA match day (Image: Shrimpers Trust)

He said: “Micky was a servant with us for eight years, he is a lovely guy and he played every match during his period, he was Mr Consistency, and he is such a nice guy.

“He has really hit on hard times, I was with him on Tuesday afternoon and he has had a horrid time. He cannot going forward do his cab work.

“He is 67 and he needs to work, unlike modern footballers, he isn’t a rich man and he had some help but needs more, he is a genuine guy that we all love and we want to raise some cash for him.”

While Micky was in hospital, Andy arranged for 100 messages of support to be sent to him from friends, players and fans, with the hope to gather around 700 people for the benefit match to “give him something to look forward to.”