Southend United have Mitchell as mascot after iconic photograph

Mitchell Drew Bennett will be the mascot for the Oldham Athletic tie tomorrow just days after playing a part in getting the stadium ready for the game.

The 11-year-old fan, from Leigh, was photographed by Echo sports reporter Chris Phillips cleaning a “Never give up” sign situated above the Shrimpers tunnel, as supporters volunteered to spruce up the stadium.

The image - which has been described as “iconic” by his fellow supporters - has now been viewed more than 100,000 times on Twitter.

And Mitchell’s father Mike Drew cannot believe how popular the picture has proved to be.

He said: “We are amazed at how this photo circulated so quickly and how much interest it generated.

Iconic - Mitchell Drew Bennett cleans up at Roots Hall (Image: Chris Phillips)

“It’s certainly a great iconic photo which sums up what it quotes in the picture - ‘Never give up’. We never gave up hope about getting the ground ready for Saturday and we’ll never give up hope with this team too.”

Blues have battled on and off pitch in the build up to this weekend’s National League opener against Oldham.

But the work of supporters helped the club receive the safety certificate needed to host Saturday’s game.

• READ MORE: Blues boss Maher previews start of National League season

And Mike was happy to see the community working together to boost Blues.

“Sunday was great,” said Mike.

“I heard about it online and saw it as a chance to help and contribute to our local club. I didn’t think Mitchell would want to go cleaning on a Sunday morning to be honest but he was very keen and would have stayed all day if he could”

“It was great to see the community come together like that and everyone who was there Sunday really deserves a lot of credit.”

The photograph of Mitchell was used by Shrimpers head coach Kevin Maher during his message of thanks on social media.

But the club’s gratitude towards the youngster did not stop there.

Mitchell will be given a new Shrimpers shirt this weekend as well as a memento he can get signed by the players before leading them out on to the pitch.

He will then watch the match alongside his family from the directors box and is already relishing being back at Roots Hall.

Mike added: “Mitch is very excited for Saturday and is a bit shocked at what’s happened over the last few days. It would be great to top it all off with a win on the day and be able dedicate it to everyone who contributed to getting Roots Hall ready.”

MITCHELL PICTURE WILL BE 'PART OF HISTORY'

SOUTHEND United general manager Rhys Ellingham says the Shrimpers are delighted to have Mitchell Drew Bennett as their special guest on Saturday.

And he believes the photograph of the youngster cleaning will forever be part of the club’s history at Roots Hall.

Ellingham said: “We’re delighted to welcome Mitchell to Roots Hall on Saturday to lead the team out and meet the players in our opening fixture against Oldham Athletic.

“The community spirit and work undertaken by everyone on Sunday shows how much this club means to so many and we are forever grateful. 

“Due to the amount of people who attended, it means we need to be creative in rewarding everyone but it is something we will definitely look at once we get Saturday’s game out of the way!

“Supporters of Mitchell’s age are the future of the club, and the photo of Mitchell cleaning, with the backdrop ‘Never Give Up’, typifies Southend United and I am sure will be an iconic photo for many years to come.” 

And those sentiments were echoed by Shrimpers boss Kevin Maher.

He said: “It was a brilliant photograph. It summed up everything and a picture paints a thousand words as they say. It certainly does here and it will be great to have him lead us out on Saturday.”