Francis: To extend stay
Southend defender Simon Francis has ended any uncertainty regarding his future by verbally agreeing a two-year contract extension at Roots Hall.
Francis, 23, still has 12 months to run on his current deal and has now secured his long-term future with the Shrimpers.
"It's all been agreed now and I just need to go in to get it signed which will hopefully happen before we begin pre-season at the start of July," Francis told the Southend Echo.
"I'm happy that it has been sorted because I've never wanted to leave and I really believe we can push for promotion next year."

League One Round Up - 21st November
Yeovil 1-1 Charlton - Highlights
Bristol Rovers 2-1 Gillingham - Highlights
Millwall 0-2 Wycombe - Highlights
Brentford 1-1 Walsall - Highlights
Carlisle 0-1 Swindon - Highlights
Oldham 2-2 Colchester - Highlights
Huddersfield 2-1 Hartlepool - Highlights
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 24th November | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 19:45 | Charlton vs Bristol Rovers |
| 19:45 | Colchester vs Stockport |
| 19:45 | Exeter vs Millwall |
| 19:45 | Gillingham vs Yeovil |
| 19:45 | Hartlepool vs Southampton |
| 19:45 | Leeds vs Leyton Orient |
| 19:45 | Milton Keynes Dons vs Carlisle |
| 19:45 | Norwich vs Brighton |
| 19:45 | Swindon vs Huddersfield |
| 19:45 | Tranmere vs Southend |
| 19:45 | Walsall vs Oldham |
| 19:45 | Wycombe vs Brentford |
| Tuesday 1st December | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| 19:45 | Brentford vs Colchester |
| 19:45 | Brighton vs Charlton |
| 19:45 | Bristol Rovers vs Exeter |
| 19:45 | Carlisle vs Hartlepool |
| 19:45 | Huddersfield vs Tranmere |
| 19:45 | Leyton Orient vs Gillingham |
| 19:45 | Millwall vs Milton Keynes Dons |
| 19:45 | Oldham vs Leeds |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| Bristol Rovers 2 - 1 Gillingham | |
| Brighton 0 - 3 Leeds | |
| Yeovil 1 - 1 Charlton | |
| Oldham 2 - 2 Colchester | |
| Carlisle 0 - 1 Swindon | |
| Brentford 1 - 1 Walsall | |
| Stockport 1 - 3 Exeter | |
| Southampton 2 - 2 Norwich | |
| Leyton Orient 2 - 1 Tranmere | |
| Millwall 0 - 2 Wycombe | |
| Huddersfield 2 - 1 Hartlepool | |
| Friday 20th November | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| Southend 2 - 1 Milton Keynes Dons | |
| Sunday 15th November | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| Southampton 1 - 3 Brighton | |
| Saturday 14th November | |
| Coca-Cola Football League One | |
| Huddersfield 6 - 0 Wycombe | |
| Bristol Rovers 3 - 2 Carlisle | |
| Yeovil 1 - 0 Southend | |
| Charlton 5 - 1 Milton Keynes Dons | |
| Walsall 2 - 0 Stockport | |
| Brentford 2 - 2 Millwall | |
| Hartlepool 1 - 0 Leyton Orient | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leeds United | 16 | 39 |
| 2 | Charlton Athletic | 17 | 33 |
| 3 | Huddersfield Town | 17 | 30 |
| 4 | Colchester United | 17 | 30 |
| 5 | Norwich City | 17 | 29 |
| 6 | Milton Keynes Dons | 17 | 29 |
| 7 | Bristol Rovers | 17 | 28 |
| 8 | Millwall | 17 | 25 |
| 9 | Swindon Town | 16 | 25 |
| 10 | Walsall | 17 | 24 |
| 11 | Southend United | 17 | 23 |
| 12 | Hartlepool United | 17 | 23 |
| 13 | Yeovil Town | 17 | 22 |
| 14 | Oldham Athletic | 17 | 21 |
| 15 | Exeter City | 17 | 21 |
| 16 | Brentford | 17 | 19 |
| 17 | Leyton Orient | 17 | 19 |
| 18 | Gillingham | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | Carlisle United | 17 | 17 |
| 20 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 17 | 17 |
| 21 | Stockport County | 17 | 14 |
| 22 | Southampton | 17 | 13 |
| 23 | Wycombe Wanderers | 17 | 11 |
| 24 | Tranmere Rovers | 17 | 10 |
Bristol City fan Hannah Shine was strutting her as the Soccerette in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Peter Beagrie wonders if Roy Keane and Ipswich Town were ever really suited to each other.
Jon-Paul Pittman tells Chris Burton about his return to the big time and Wycombe's current plight.
Leeds extended their lead at the top of League One with a 3-0 win over Brighton at the Withdean Stadium.
Leeds eased to a 3-0 victory over Brighton as the Seagulls went down to defeat for the first time under Gus Poyet.
Super-sub Stephen Hughes' equaliser earned Norwich a battling 2-2 draw against Southampton.
Wycombe earned their first away win of the season at Millwall to climb off the foot of League One.
Charlie Austin needed just three minutes of his full debut to secure a 1-0 win for Swindon over Carlisle.