ˌɔn θˈɜːtiːn dʒˈuːn tˈuː θˈaʊzənd sˈɪks, fɹˈænsɪs tɹænsfˈɜːd tə nˈuːli pɹəmˈoʊɾᵻd ˌiːˌɛfˈɛl tʃˈæmpiənʃˌɪp sˈaɪd saʊθˈɛnd juːnˈaɪɾᵻd fɚɹən ʌndɪsklˈoʊzd fˈiː, sˈaɪnɪŋ ɐ θɹˈiːjˈɪɹ kˈɑːntɹækt.
On 13 June 2006, Francis transferred to newly Promoted EFL Championship side Southend United for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract.