Southend United v Barnet
npower league 2
Saturday 6th October 2012
Kick-Off 3.00pm
Roots Hall, Victoria Ave, Southend-On-Sea, SS2 6NQStadium:
01702 304050Telephone:
Dark blue with white trimClub Colours:
The Seasiders, Shrimps or Blues.Nickname:
www.southendunited.co.ukOfficial Club Website:
Key Personnel
Manager Paul Sturrock played 600 games for Dundee United and 20 times for Scotland between 1974-89 before beginning his managerial career at St Johnstone. He has had spells at Dundee Utd, Plymouth (twice), Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton and Swindon before joining Southend in July 2011
From the M25 exit at its Junction 29 (A127) to Southend. Stay on this road which will become Victoria Avenue – it is the main arterial route into the town you will see the ground on the right. The floodlight pylons are visible from some distance away.Brief Directions by Road:
The main car park at the ground offers easy parking but for a £5.00 charge. The Southend High School for Boys car park on Prittlewell Chase (accessible on the right just before the ground) also costs £5.00. Street parking is also available for early arrivers on this and surrounding roads.Car Parking:
The closest station to the ground is Prittlewell, about a five minute walk away. It is served by trains from London Liverpool Street. As you exit the station turn right, you will then come to a crossroads with traffic lights. 100 yards or so further on you will see the stadium on your left.Directions by Train:
Ground Description:I am fortunate to remember watching a game at Roots Hall years ago from the massive open Kop terrace behind what now is the South Stand which is a home fan stronghold. It is a shallow double decker built in 1994. The Main or East stand was first erected in the mid 1950’s. The opposite West Stand like the North Stand are simple covered terraces with added seating. Both areas have superb examples of old barrel roofs similar in design to the roof over the East Terrace at Aldershot. The aforementioned North Stand will be our home for the afternoon. The seats are tight with minimum leg room but plenty of noise can be made!
Adults £21, Senior Citizens £15, U21s/Students £14, U16s £10, U8s £5. The North Stand will be our home for the afternoon.Admission:
The kick-off time allows amble opportunity to refresh yourselves at the numerous pubs on the seafront – there is very little excitement to be had in the ground vicinity I’m afraid. The infamous Forresters Arms on the seafront is of course THE place to head for if you like a bit of titillation with your beer and toasted sandwich. The Lunchtime show starts at 1.00pm but don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to make kick off if you arrange a cab! The famous four pubs that make the perfect “crawl” are the Pappillon, The Chinnerys, The Hope and The Cornucopia (my favourite), all in a very convenient line on the front. For a perfect pre-match meal look no further than the Fisherman’s Wharf opposite the pier on Western Esplanade – the menu is extensive and inexpensive too!
A Beer & A Meal Before The Game?
& Memories Our Last Meeting featured two goals from “King Kenny” Charlery and Marlon King plus a year later a 3-1 victory featured another Marlon King goal plus a couple from Danny Brown. in 1998 Coca Cola Cup thanks to Alan Walker and Tony Lynch. A brilliant 3-2 victory at Christmas Our last visit in April 2012 finished 0-3 in front of over 6,000. However a wonderful time was had by all Bees during the 2-0 victory in the 1993/4
After that 3-2 win a bunch of Bees fans were invited to Lee Harrison’s fancy dress party where Linvoy Primus turned up in a fairy’s outfit. He and Dave McDonald shared a car with their wives and had to fill up at a petrol station just outside Wickford – according to Macca, Linvoy did the honours in sub zero temperatures looking like Tinkerbell! Later that evening Mrs Reckless suggested where he might have been keeping his wallet! Great times………
An overnight in Southend certainly has its plus points – pubs galore, night clubs, toffee apples, The Pier, Candy Floss, Funfairs, Kiss me Quick hats etc. etc. and the sea front was certainly more exciting than I expected when I visited for the day during this summer. The club can recommend the Thorpe Bay Premier Inn which will offer discount to supporters. 213 Eastern Esplanade, Southend-On-Sea, Essex SS1 3AD Telephone 01702 583600
Overnight Stay Factor:
Celebrity WatchGary Brooker, the Procol Harum lead singer grew up here as did guitarist Robin Trower who also played in the band. Paul Young has a holiday home near the sea front. Tennis superstars Dave and John Lloyd lived here and took advantage of the fresh sea air. Helen Mirren was allegedly seen in Yates’ Wine Bar recently and Phil Collins’ brother used to run the go-kart track near the Beach.
