Southend United

by **NIGHTMARE** Fri 2 Apr - 20:49:10

How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
From M25 take Junction 29 and follow the A127 to Southend. Continue towards the town centre, through the lights near to the Bell Pub. At the next roundabout turn right (3rd turning), continuing on the A127. The ground is on the right just past the next traffic lights. If you turn right as you reach the ground, this will put you behind the away end where there is plenty of street parking to be found. Otherwise there is a car park at the ground, behind the Main Stand which costs £5

By Train
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. On your right is the 'Fish House', fish and chip shop. Pass this and turn right. Walk about 100 yards and the ground is tucked away on your left.
If you happen to end up at Southend Central station (served by trains from London Fenchurch Street), you're about a 25 minute walk from the ground. The main bus station is close to Southend Central, and therefore it may be an idea to get a bus up to the ground, rather than walking.

Where To Drink?
The traditional haunt for away fans, the Golden Lion, has now been closed for quite a while. With the other nearby pubs; the Spread Eagle and the Blue Boar, being for home fans, then the choice is rather limited. 'There is the Bar Victoria Court, which is located further down the A127 from Roots Hall towards Southend. It is not a traditional football pub by any means but it is okay for pre-match pint'. This Bar is about a ten minute walk away from the ground.

What's The Ground Like?
At one end of the ground is the relatively new South Stand. This stand replaced a former open terrace and greatly improved the overall look. It is a small 'double decker' type of stand, the upper tier hanging over the lower. It is all seated and covered, but unfortunately has a few supporting pillars. On its roof is a small clock, dedicated to former player, Director & Chairman, Frank Walton. There are a couple of blocks of flats that overlook the ground from behind this stand. Away fans are now housed in what was originally the home end, the North Stand, which is a covered seated stand at the other end of the ground. This stand, like the West Stand at one side of the pitch, are both single tiered and have old looking 'barrel' shaped roofs, with the West Stand having a unique double barrel roof. The West Stand extends around to the North Stand so that one corner is filled with seating. It has a number of supporting pillars right at the front, which may hinder your view of the action. It also has the most precarious looking TV gantry, that stands on stilts and is accessed by a long ladder.

What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are housed in the North Stand, which is now all seated after being a former terrace. Like most former terraces that have had seats bolted onto them, the leg room and height distance between each row is less than desirable. The large number of supporting pillars will probably also impede your view; although this does not make for a great experience at least the Stand is covered. Up to 2,000 away fans can be accommodated in the North Stand,