Southend Boss Consigned To Losing Duo

Last updated : 26 May 2004 By Andy Beill

Ex-Shrimpers manager Peter Taylor is hoping to bring midfielder Kevin Maher and defender Leon Cort to the KC Stadium as he prepares his squad for an assault on Division Two. Both players are out of contract at Roots Hall, and Tilson says he can't match what City are able to offer.

He said: "I know Hull are trying to sign them both and, to be perfectly honest, we can't compete with them on a financial level.
"They're paying out fortunes in wages but would Kevin and Leon play regular first team football if they went there?
"Hull have a big squad and they would try and keep everyone happy so I would say it's doubtful that they would."

Meanwhile, Taylor said of Cort: "He's a player that I really have liked and I think there's a lot more to come from him. I'm hopeful that when he gets back from holiday I'll be in a position to talk to him."

The Tigers boss revealed last week that he is interested in Southend captain Maher but that was "as far as it has gone" at the time of speaking.