'It's about time': Southend United fans on Wembley final

It has been an emotional rollercoaster for Southend United fans who have backed their team through financial turmoil and the threat of extinction in the last few years. But these dark days felt like a distant memory when Gus Scott-Morriss buried his winning penalty against Forest Green Rovers in the National League play-off semi-final. The BBC spoke to fans in the Essex city ahead of a trip to Wembley.

Tom Everett, 30, who was selling bakery bread in the High Street on Thursday, said he listened to the semi-final commentary on BBC Essex.

"We're one of the best-supported clubs in non-league," he told the BBC.

"I honestly think half the population [of Southend] will be at Wembley".

"It's about time" the club reached the final, said 21-year-old Aaron Smith.

"A town without a club - to me - isn't a town," he added.

He was already thinking about his train up to Wembley and said: "Once you're there, you don't have to worry about sleeping, because we're gonna win it and you drink all night."

Trevor Day, 62, has been a season ticket holder since the 1970s.

"The city of Southend needs Southend United," he said.

Asked if he was going to Wembley, he replied: "Just try and stop me. My boy will be there, all my mates will be there.

"There'll be 35,000 Southend mates there."

Keith Horner, 65, said he felt very attached to Southend's journey, and his son video-called him to share the celebrations after the final whistle.

"It's really emotional," he said.

"I told my grandson, 'It's memories we'll have for the rest of our lives'. He'll always remember it, as will I."

He continued: "As a surprise for him, I've even gone and bought a Southend shirt so I can wear the colours with him."

James Schooley, who is chairman of the Shrimpers Trust, described how fans watching the game on a big screen at Roots Hall stadium were "crying in the stands".

"It just feels like we have our club back again – that's the main thing."

The Blues were relegated from the English Football League in 2021 for the first time in 101 years.

Over the next few years, bills went unpaid, staff and players were paid late, transfer embargoes were placed on the club, and the side were docked 10 points.

Multiple winding-up petitions were made to the High Court and debts reached about £2.5m.

But debts were paid off when Custodians of Southend United agreed to buy the club from previous owner Ron Martin - a sale which was eventually completed in July.

The new owners want to redevelop Roots Hall.

"It is a remarkable turnaround," said Mr Schooley.

He said the players "rallied in the face of adversity" to reach the final, having come from behind to beat Rochdale 4-3 and then again when they equalised against Forest Green Rovers in the 116th minute.

"It feels like it's a return to the values the club had in abundance before financial troubles began," he added.

"It's the first time we have kind of seen that never-say-die attitude back on the pitch again."

Mr Schooley said whatever happened at the final, it showed everyone how much potential the club had.

"I am obviously dying to see us win a promotion, I am dying to see us win at Wembley, I am desperate to see us get out of this division... but realistically I think at the minute, if if that doesn't happen, and we don't get across the line, I am thinking what an amazing couple of weeks it has been - it has put the club back on the map.

"It would send us into next season with a buzz and feeling like success is on the horizon, no matter what division we are in."

BBC Essex Sport presenter and co-commentator Glenn Pennyfather has been part of Southend United since he was 14 years old.

The former midfielder and defender said the final was a "huge reward for fans that have stuck with Southend United through thick and thin".

"Not just the recent history, but some fans have been following the football club for 40, 50, 60 years," he added.

He said Southend fans continued to watch the games "in droves", despite the turmoil, and said he was filled with "immense pride" watching the semi-final victory.

"I think [the fans] are going to pack out Wembley, it is going to be an absolutely amazing occasion."

Southend United and Oldham Athletic will kick-off at Wembley at 15:00 BST on 1 June.

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