Southend United fans react to update on club's future plans

Back in July, a consortium led by Australian businessman Justin Rees finally completed a takeover of Southend United.

Since the takeover, the consortium haven't wasted any time in carrying out work off the pitch to try and move the club forward.

Last night, Southend United's chief executive, Tom Lawrence, issued an update on the club’s plans for the future.

The consortium have taken several steps to try and improve the facilities on offer at Roots Hall already, which includes working on a plan to get Shrimpers supporters back in the North Bank.

The club has also created a new exit to the West Bar in the West Stand to increase the capacity, reduce queues, and alleviate some of the pressure on the bar.

This is alongside an application to Southend Council to position a container to serve alcohol at the rear of the West Stand.

Work has also been done in the East Stand, with air conditioning being installed, and the Blues Legends Lounge and Captains Bar being decorated.

Elsewhere at the stadium, there could soon be improvements made to the floodlights.

Ryan Stubbs, a Blues fan for 22 years, said: "The positive plans has excited me.

"I love everything about the old place, it has character and a style that isn't found in many of today's stadiums, but for all my love, I spend as little time inside the stadium as possible, and only stay for the 90 minutes of football.

Excited - Ryan Stubbs, a Blues fan for 22 years (Image: Newsquest)

"The fact that we are now on the verge of getting some much needed upgrades to the bars, food stands, will hopefully invite more people to stay within the ground longer or earlier.

"As someone who has only ever heard about what it was like to stand in the North Stand, I am looking forward to experiencing that for myself as well should that become a possibility.

"All that said, it is just nice to finally be talking about things to look forward to, especially off the field for our club and it is exciting to see just how far the consortium are willing to take us."

Other fans also shared their excitement on social media, with one writing: "Very positive, and insightful.

"These are important blocks to build for the future. Look where we were this time last year."

The stand behind the goal housed Blues fans until the new South Stand was built in the mid-1990s.

However, the North Bank is still regarded by many as the spiritual home for Southend fans.

Away fans will still be located in the North Bank too, due to "complicated flow rate calculations".