29/01/25
Leaving a club like Slough is never a nice feeling as it feels like home, but the opportunity for me to return to full time football was too good to turn down
Leon Parillon
We have reached an agreement with Southend United for the transfer of Leon Parillon, for an undisclosed fee.
The transfer marks a return to full-time football for Leon, who initially joined the Rebels on loan from Oxford United in April 2022 before signing for Scott Davies’ side on a permanent basis in the summer of 2023.
He went on to become a fixture in our midfield, making 77 appearances and chipping in with eight goals. There were some memorable strikes in that number, including the winning goal against Torquay United at Plainmoor a year ago, stunning long-range efforts against St Albans City and Worthing, and a crucial late equaliser against Salisbury last December.
We thank Leon for his service to the club over the last 18 months and wish him the very best as he embarks on a new chapter in his career. Although this marks the end of his time at Slough Town, he will always be welcome back at Arbour Park.
Leon had the following message for supporters on leaving the club:
“First, I have to say thank you to Scotty, Yella and every other member of staff at the club. I don't get to this point as a player without their support and commitment to the game. The same has to be said for my teammates. I've been lucky enough to share the pitch with some top guys that I'll be close with for a long time and I know they’ll go on to great things.
“Leaving a club like Slough is never a nice feeling as it feels like home, but the opportunity for me to return to full time football was too good to turn down at a club the size of Southend United.
“The love and reception I received from day one is a feeling you may never experience in your football career so I feel blessed to have had that from the ‘Rebel Army’.
“It has truly been a pleasure to play for and get to know a fanbase filled with so many incredible and loyal people. I can't thank everyone enough and even though I'm excited to see what's next for my career - Slough Town will be a part of me forever.
“I also want to thank Ash and the board for sorting the deal so that I can progress up the footballing pyramid. Scotty and Ash have always promised that they would never stand in my way if a return to full time became a reality, so I’m grateful that they’ve stuck true to their word and allowed me to do this.
“Lastly, I’ll always a Rebel and I’ll be back to watch the boys!
“Thank you and good luck.”
Scott Davies spoke of his disappointment in losing Leon, but also pride in seeing him return to the professional game:
“From coming in as a trialist in summer 2023, Leon has gone on to do everything I believed that he could, and possibly even more…
“Last season was a slow burner for Leon, playing second fiddle to many senior players but he’s certainly made his mark in 2024 with some outstanding performances that have made people sit up and take note.
“As a management team, we are gutted to lose someone of Leon’s quality but we are so pleased to have played a part in his progression. I know that Yella will miss his car school buddy; those two have created a strong bond over the past 18 months which has certainly helped Leon along the way.
“The players will miss a great teammate and a top player but he’s certainly gone with their well wishes too. I hope that the other young players can use this as fuel for their own careers to go on to bigger and better things.
“The biggest compliment that I can pay Leon is that it’s never been about his worth, but more so the opportunity having lost his way in the game for a year or two. He’s a perfect example of a young player ‘doing it the right way’, and now he’s reaping the rewards by signing for a big football club in Southend United.
“If his ceiling is the National League Premier then I’ll be amazed as I fully expect to see him back in the EFL in no time at all. The boy is special.
“Go well mate, and thanks for everything you’ve given to me, the staff, the players and the fans.
“Good luck,
Scotty x”
The transfer marks a return to full-time football for Leon, who initially joined the Rebels on loan from Oxford United in April 2022 before signing for Scott Davies’ side on a permanent basis in the summer of 2023.
He went on to become a fixture in our midfield, making 77 appearances and chipping in with eight goals. There were some memorable strikes in that number, including the winning goal against Torquay United at Plainmoor a year ago, stunning long-range efforts against St Albans City and Worthing, and a crucial late equaliser against Salisbury last December.
We thank Leon for his service to the club over the last 18 months and wish him the very best as he embarks on a new chapter in his career. Although this marks the end of his time at Slough Town, he will always be welcome back at Arbour Park.
Leon had the following message for supporters on leaving the club:
“First, I have to say thank you to Scotty, Yella and every other member of staff at the club. I don't get to this point as a player without their support and commitment to the game. The same has to be said for my teammates. I've been lucky enough to share the pitch with some top guys that I'll be close with for a long time and I know they’ll go on to great things.
“Leaving a club like Slough is never a nice feeling as it feels like home, but the opportunity for me to return to full time football was too good to turn down at a club the size of Southend United.
“The love and reception I received from day one is a feeling you may never experience in your football career so I feel blessed to have had that from the ‘Rebel Army’.
“It has truly been a pleasure to play for and get to know a fanbase filled with so many incredible and loyal people. I can't thank everyone enough and even though I'm excited to see what's next for my career - Slough Town will be a part of me forever.
“I also want to thank Ash and the board for sorting the deal so that I can progress up the footballing pyramid. Scotty and Ash have always promised that they would never stand in my way if a return to full time became a reality, so I’m grateful that they’ve stuck true to their word and allowed me to do this.
“Lastly, I’ll always a Rebel and I’ll be back to watch the boys!
“Thank you and good luck.”
Scott Davies spoke of his disappointment in losing Leon, but also pride in seeing him return to the professional game:
“From coming in as a trialist in summer 2023, Leon has gone on to do everything I believed that he could, and possibly even more…
“Last season was a slow burner for Leon, playing second fiddle to many senior players but he’s certainly made his mark in 2024 with some outstanding performances that have made people sit up and take note.
“As a management team, we are gutted to lose someone of Leon’s quality but we are so pleased to have played a part in his progression. I know that Yella will miss his car school buddy; those two have created a strong bond over the past 18 months which has certainly helped Leon along the way.
“The players will miss a great teammate and a top player but he’s certainly gone with their well wishes too. I hope that the other young players can use this as fuel for their own careers to go on to bigger and better things.
“The biggest compliment that I can pay Leon is that it’s never been about his worth, but more so the opportunity having lost his way in the game for a year or two. He’s a perfect example of a young player ‘doing it the right way’, and now he’s reaping the rewards by signing for a big football club in Southend United.
“If his ceiling is the National League Premier then I’ll be amazed as I fully expect to see him back in the EFL in no time at all. The boy is special.
“Go well mate, and thanks for everything you’ve given to me, the staff, the players and the fans.
“Good luck,
Scotty x”
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