Jellied Eels and Roots Hall

Southend United v Hereford United
Football League 1
Saturday 13th September 2008 KO 3.00 pm.
Roots Hall
Victoria Avenue
Southend-on-Sea
SS2 6NQ
Phone 01702 304050


After a spell in the Southern League following their formation in 1906, The Shrimpers became founder members of the Third Division of English football in 1920. When the division was split into north/south the following year, they finished bottom and faced the first of three re-elections. They were consistently mid-table and remained in Division Three when the north/south regions became divisions three and four in the late fifties. They celebrated England's '66 World Cup win by being relegated to the bottom tier. The seventies and eighties saw them bouncing like a beach ball between Divs three and four before the stewardship of Dave Webb took them to the then League 2 where they stayed for five seasons before it all took a severe backwards step with successive relegations. The appointment of current boss Steve Tilson in 2004 was a move that started the climb to The Championship via a play-off victory having been pipped to "proper" promotion by a Pub team from Somerset and an automatic promotion. However, life in the second tier proved a step too far and The Shrimpers once again find themselves in League 1.

Whilst The Club have received full planning for a new stadium at Fossetts Farm near the present training ground, the next couple of seasons will be at Roots Hall where visiting fans are accommodated in the North Stand which is an all-seated former home terrace. There are some supporting pillars but with a capacity of around 2000, it shouldn't be too difficult to find a seat with a good view.

Admission: Fans are urged to take advantage of early bird tickets which are available from the HUFC office until 4.00 pm on Thursday. Adults £20 including 100 family tickets (1 adult, 1 child), Junior (9-16) £10, Seniors (60+), Students (ID) and 17-20 (ID) £13, U8's £5. "On the day" prices show an increase of £2.

Coaches: HUISA departs Legends at 8.30 am with a fare of £20. Please note, HUFC and HUISA members will get a £1 refund. Places can be booked through the office 08442 761939.

FUNBUS departs 8.30 prompt from Legends. Fare £17. Fully booked.

By car, travel to Gloucester being mindful of the roadworks around The Dog at Over and then follow signs for A417 (Cirencester). At the top of Birdlip (Air Balloon) take the A436 then the A40 towards Oxford. Continue through Oxford following signs for M40 (London) and join the M40. Join the M25 (clockwise) following signs for Watford. Continue on the M25 to junction 29 where you should join the A127 (sign Southend). The remaining 20 miles may well take up to 45 minutes! When you reach a roundabout near the Tesco/Strawberry Fields Pub/Travel Inn, take the third exit (sign Central Southend). At the next set of traffic lights continue on past The Bell Hotel to the next roundabout. Take the 3rd exit (Victoria Avenue) and continue down the hill to a set of lights. You should be able to see Roots Hall at this stage. Turn right at the lights into Fairfax Drive for the away entrance. There is limited parking at the ground (£5?) otherwise spaces can be found in the surrounding streets. Distance is around 190 miles and you should allow at least 4 hours. Postcode SS2 6NQ.

Trains from London run from Liverpool Street roughly three to the hour and return after the game every 30 minutes from Prittlewell Station.

Alehouses. The nearest Pub to accept visitors is The Golden Lion just up the A127 from the car park. It does get busy but the service is good and it has Sky TV on big screens although it is a bit of a fizzy beer outlet. The nearby Spread Eagle is mainly a home Pub but usually accepts well-behaved visitors and sports a selection that includes London Pride, Spitfire, Highgate and Bombardier. Going back to the traffic lights, you will find The Blue Boar with Tetley's and Green King IPA. The Nelson in North Road may be worth a look as it has Sky and a beer garden. A mile from the ground on London Road is The Trading Room, a converted Bank that reportedly serves Courage Directors and Ridleys' Old Bob along with decent food. The delightful "Golden Mile" seafront offers a multitude of premises including The Liberty Belle, which does a Real Ale or two although nothing of particular note. Close to the Pier, you will find a gynormous Wetherspoons trading as The Last Post. It offers the usual fare including Spitfire, Directors and Theakstons Best as well as several guests and TWO CIDERS (probably fizzy). Please note, The Shrimpers Bar at the ground is now members only and no alcohol is served inside the stadium although refreshments are available from a café type building behind the North Stand.

Enjoy and beware of ladieeeeeees called Sharon (most of 'em).

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