GARY Lockett wants to help bring the feel good factor back to Southend United.

Blues’ new chief executive has been following the fortunes of Blues since 1967.

And he now wants to play a part in improving the club’s popularity in the town.

“I want to help build the football club again because I don’t think it’s as one with the community,” said Lockett, 49.

“I don’t think there’s that same feeling towards the team that we had seven or eight years ago.

“This is the town’s team and we want to get that feel good factor back.

“Right now there’s a lot of negativity and there shouldn’t be because the team’s flying high and are going for promotion.

“But while I’m not sure what it will take to turn things around I will try my best to get to the bottom of it and turn the club around from top to toe so we’re all singing from the same hymn sheet again.”

Leigh born Lockett has stepped in to the shoes of Tara Brady who left last month and he is keen to see the club head up in to League One.

However, he is less excited about having to watch the games in the directors box.

“I just get can’t used to wearing a suit to the matches because it doesn’t seem right,” said Lockett.

“You wear jeans to go watch and football and although I will have to go in the box to be with clients and customers I will also continue watching matches from the West Stand as well.”

Plenty of progress has been made by Blues on the pitch in the past 18 months and Lockett was full of praise for the job both manager Paul Sturrock and his assistant Graham Coughlan had done in turning around the team’s fortunes.

But Lockett, who has previously worked in the insurance industry as a Lloyd`s Broker, Insure & Go and in property management, knows things must now improve off the pitch too.

“It’s been well documented that we’re losing money every month but we’re reducing our losses,” said Lockett.

“Cash flow is paramount and we will work on that by exploring commercial avenues and trying to get attendances up.”

Lockett will also work closely with chairman Ron Martin.

And he has been assured that progress is being made on Blues’ planned switch to a new stadium at Fossetts Farm.

“All announcements about the stadium will be made by the chairman but he’s told me things are progressing nicely,” said Lockett, who was previously a non executive director at the club.

“A new ground would be hugely beneficial for the club because we could then use it more than just 25 times a season.

“We don’t have the best facilities at Roots Hall but we will do the best we can with what we’ve got until we do make that move.