TIMES have been tough for Southend United supporters in recent years and Blues’ League Two season got off to the worst possible start thanks to a 4-0 defeat to newly-promoted Harrogate Town.
Blues suffered relegation to the fourth tier of English football last term, which was brought to a premature close due to the coronavirus outbreak in March.
As a result, the Shrimpers are back in League Two for the first time since 2015, when Phil Brown led the club to promotion in the most dramatic of circumstances.
Blues booked their place in the play-off final thanks to victory over Stevenage and 38,252 supporters were in attendance as Southend emerged victorious following a penalty shoot-out against Wycombe Wanderers.
Ecstatic - Daniel Bentley shows his joy after helping boyhood club Southend United to overcome Wycombe Wanderers in the penalty shoot-out
While the contest finished goalless after 90 minutes, an unfortunate own goal from goalkeeper Daniel Bentley gave Wycombe the lead five minutes into extra-time.
It looked as though Blues were going to fall at the final hurdle in their bid for promotion, but Joe Pigott became an instant club legend when he swept home the leveller in the second minute of stoppage time.
Hero - Joe Pigott holds the trophy aloft after his late equaliser allowed Blues to go and seal promotion
As a result, the final went to penalties and, although Ben Coker was unsuccessful from 12 yards, Pigott, Ryan Leonard, Jack Payne, Michael Timlin, Adam Barrett, Myles Weston and Cian Bolger converted from the spot.
Bentley also shone between the goalposts in the shoot-out, allowing Blues fans to go from heartbreak to ecstasy in a matter of minutes as Southend recorded a 7-6 shoot-out win.
We are going up - Southend United celebrate after overcoming Wycombe Wanderers in the League Two play-off final five years ago
Consequently, the Shrimpers were promoted to League One, where they remained until their relegation last season.
The players and management staff celebrated their success on the pitch - with fans watching on from the Wembley stands - before continuing to party in the dressing room.
Sheer joy - manager Phil Brown (second from left) and his backroom staff celebrate with the trophy after leading Blues into League One
But the celebrations did not end there as thousands of supporters flocked to Southend seafront to greet their heroes during an open-top bus victory parade.
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Bus tour - Blues’ players and management team celebrated with thousands of Shrimpers supporters on the victory parade
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Scroll down to see more pictures of that memorable day at Wembley and the victory parade which followed.
Thumbs up - Southend United legend Adam Barrett greets the supporters on the club’s victory parade
Jovial - the Shrimpers celebrated their promotion to League One by heading on an open-top bus tour around Southend
Proud as punch - Shrimpers midfielder Will Atkinson smiles for the camera as his team-mates celebrate in the dressing room
Creating memories - thousands of Southend United fans cram around the open-top bus carrying the victorious players
In unison - John White stands with the League Two play-off trophy and countless Southend United supporters who had backed their side at Wembley
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