Southend United Football Club: Introduction

Southend United Football Club was formed in 1906 and originally played in the Southern League before joining the Football League in 1920, when Division Three was formed. The club has spent most of its history in the lower tiers of English football but has had sporadic success, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Southend United currently plays football in the National League, which is the fifth level of English football. So, hopefully, their promotion will come soon enough. The following is our overview of the club.

Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.

• Founded: 19 May 1906
• Location: Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England
• Nickname: The Shrimpers, The Seasiders, and The Blues
• Stadium: Roots Hall (Capacity: 12,392)
• Club Colors: Blue and White
• Current League: National League (5th tier of English football as of 2023)

Southend United Football Club: Early Years (1906–1945)

Southend United initially played at a venue called “Roots Hall,” though the current Roots Hall stadium was not built until 1955. The club spent its early years in the Southern League before becoming one of the founding members of the new Third Division of the Football League in 1920.

Post-War and Rise in Leagues (1945–1990s)

In the post-World War II era, Southend United moved between the lower tiers of English football. They played mostly in the Third and Fourth Divisions, achieving moderate success in cup competitions but struggling to secure promotion to the upper echelons.

One of the club’s most iconic achievements came in the mid-1980s when manager David Webb led the team to promotion from the Fourth to the Third Division, and they maintained their position in the Third Division for most of the 1980s.

Peak and Championship Appearances (1990s–2000s)

The 1990s were a high point for the club as they earned promotion to the Second Division (now called the Championship) in 1991. Under manager David Webb, the team achieved notable results, though they were relegated after a few seasons. In the early 2000s, they dropped to the Fourth Division (now League Two).

A golden era for Southend came in the mid-2000s under manager Steve Tilson. They achieved consecutive promotions from League Two to the Championship between 2004–06, marking one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. In 2006, Southend defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the League Cup, a famous victory for the club.

Recent Decline (2010s–Present)

The club has faced financial difficulties in recent years, leading to a series of relegations. After a period of decline, Southend dropped out of the Football League at the end of the 2020–21 season, finding themselves in the National League, the fifth tier of English football.

As of the 2023–24 season, Southend United is playing in the National League and battling financial issues, with fears of further struggles on and off the pitch.

Southend United Football Club: Notable Achievements

• Football League Trophy: Winners (1) in 2004–05
• League One Champions: 2005–06 season (Promotion to the Championship)
• FA Cup Best Finish: Reached the fifth round on several occasions, including 1951–52 and 1975–76.
• Notable Cup Victory: Defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the League Cup (2006), with Freddy Eastwood scoring the winner.

Although Southend has won the lower leagues, they have not won a major trophy. However, they have won the Essex Professional Cup 10 times. They have also won the Essex Senior Cup 4 times and the Essex Thameside Trophy once.

Southend United Football Club: Rivals

Southend United has a few local rivals:

• Colchester United: The biggest rivalry, known as the “Essex Derby.”
• Leyton Orient: Historically a regional rivalry from London.
• Dagenham & Redbridge: Another team from the local area.
• The fans also like to beat these clubs: Gillingham and Ipswich Town.

Key Players and Managers

Notable Players:

• Freddy Eastwood: Famous for his goalscoring prowess, particularly for his winner against Manchester United.
• Stan Collymore: Played for the club in the early 1990s before moving to Nottingham Forest and later Liverpool, achieving international fame.
• Adam Barrett: Long-serving defender and captain.

Notable Managers:

• David Webb: Managed the club during two periods, leading them to promotion in the early 1990s.
• Steve Tilson: Manager during the club’s most successful period in the mid-2000s, including their rise to the Championship.
• Phil Brown: Managed the club from 2013 to 2018 and again in 2021. Guided Southend to a playoff promotion to League One in 2015.

Stadium: Roots Hall

• Opened: 1955
• Capacity: 12,392
• Future: There have been plans to relocate to a new stadium at Fossetts Farm, but these plans have been delayed multiple times due to financial challenges. Be that as it may, Southend supporters can create a wonderful atmosphere at Roots Hall.

Financial Troubles

Southend United has faced numerous financial issues, particularly in the 2010s and 2020s. The club has struggled with winding-up orders over unpaid taxes and significant debts. This has resulted in the club being placed under transfer embargoes and deducted points in recent seasons.

Southend United Football Club: Fanbase

Southend United enjoys a passionate local following. Despite recent struggles, the fans remain loyal, attending matches in good numbers for a lower-league club. The club has a reputation for fostering a strong community spirit within Southend-on-Sea.

In Summary

Southend United Football Club has had a long, storied history filled with ups and downs, including memorable moments such as competing in the Championship and knocking Manchester United out of the League Cup. However, the club has also endured significant financial issues and relegations, leading to its current position in the National League.

Despite these challenges, the club remains a cornerstone of the local community in Southend-on-Sea, and its fans are hopeful for better times ahead.

Promote Southend United Football Club

You can promote your team here at the Football Fan Base and there are many ways to do it, of course. Apart from replying to the football blog posts, you can also write your very own articles.

After all, Southend is the best team in the world, right?

Finally, our message boards now incorporate the Southend United Fans Forum due to the expansion of the Fanbase network. We provide you with the biggest types of football medium in which to post, so go ahead and give Southend a boost!

** Information updated on September 4, 2024.