The Easter double header begins this Friday with what will likely be the Fleet’s highest attendance for a regular fixture in more than 20 years. Southend United are the visitors for the first time in a competitive match as the season approaches its final month.
Form guide
The Shrimpers travelled to fourth-place Solihull Moors on Tuesday night and were victorious by three goals to nil. Oli Coker bagged a first-half brace with top scorer Harry Cardwell completing the goals in the 66th minute. Despite being hit with a 10-point deduction midway through the season, Southend currently sit 10th in the National League with 18 wins. They are unbeaten in 11 matches and with four clean sheets in a row, haven’t conceded a goal for more than 400 minutes. This recent form has pulled them away from danger and even given them a very outside chance of making the play-offs.
Last time out
A Tuesday night in October saw the first competitive meeting between the sides and it was the hosts who came out on top. That man Coker was on the scoresheet again to send Southend in ahead at the break and Gus Scott-Morriss and Jack Wood got the second-half goals to secure the Shrimpers a comfortable victory at Roots Hall.
Transfer business at Roots Hall
Following the lifting of the transfer embargo on the club, there were finally some new faces at Southend. Deon Woodman is the latest addition and joined on loan from QPR on a one-month deal. The 6ft 5in defender had spells at Wealdstone and Dulwich Hamlet previously. Striker Danny Waldron joined in January on an 18-month deal from National League North side Rushall Olympic. Fellow forward Marcus Dackers has been impressing fans since his loan move from Salford City in January, a second loan spell at Southend for the Welsh youth international. He has previous National League experience with Woking and Altrincham.
In addition to new signings, the Shrimpers recently announced that a number of players have extended their stay at Roots Hall until 2026 including Harry Cardwell, Ollie Kensdale and Harry Taylor.
The manager
Kevin Maher spent 10 years at the club from 1998-2008 as a player, where he made 383 appearances. Following his retirement, his first managerial role was coaching Southend’s youth ranks for four years. He then became caretaker manager at Bristol Rovers on two occasions and he then took charge of Southend in 2021. Maher also played for the likes of Oldham Athletic and Gillingham during his career.
Club connections
The Fleet’s Joe Martin can welcome brother Dave who has played nine times in goal since his arrival in the autumn, although the former MK Dons, Liverpool and West Ham keeper is unlikely to start. First-team coach and former Southend midfielder Mark Bentley played for us and won the Fleet’s player of the season in 2002/03.
For the Fleet, Luke O’Neill, Josh Wright, Dominic Poleon and out-on-loan Shaq Coulthirst have all played for Southend while Danny Searle was once part of the Shrimpers’ youth-coaching setup.
Ticket info
A limited number of tickets are available from our ticket windows to home fans only on the day from 10.30am–1.00pm. Online sales have now closed.
Car-parking is available for the special matchday price of £3 at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C. Away fans have access to refreshments, food and a bar in the Swanscombe End.
Supporters are reminded that alcohol will not be permitted to be consumed within view of the pitch and that matches will be segregated as required at the Swanscombe End (or the far end of it). Please cooperate with the instructions of our security team and stewards.
Away supporters
Southend fans have been allocated all of the Swanscombe End and a number of priority seats in the Old Stand. Access is via the turnstiles at the Swanscombe End, situated to the left of the main entrance along Stonebridge Road and then up through the car-park.
Away fans have access to refreshments, food and a bar in the Swanscombe End. Our popular Eat Street van will be available for food (hot dogs and burgers) and beverages. Beers on tap include Brewdog, Hofmeister and Iron Pier while our Prosecco bar can be found in the away facility clearly visible between the standing terrace and seating area. Both non-alcoholic and alcoholic refreshments along with sausage rolls and pasties can also be found in this bar.
Programmes
Programmes can be pre-ordered online with your ticket, or from our online shop here. In the ground, you can purchase in the club shop, just past the main home turnstiles, at the Plough End social club and for away fans in the Old Sponsors Lounge/portakabin bar. Please note pre-ordered programmes must be collected from the club shop at the main reception entrance BEFORE entering the ground.
