RTG’s totally and utterly (we hope) indispensable guide to this season’s away grounds.
THE OPPO – Southend United FC
DATE – Saturday 19 August 2004
KO TIME – 3pm
THE GROUND – Roots Hall, Southend – click here and here for maps of the area – the red circle shows where the ground is.
Up to 2,000 away supporters are seated in the North Stand.
TICKETS
Tickets are now on general sale: see RTG’s ticket news pages for more information.
GOING BY CAR?
– From the north-east, take the A1 southbound then the M1 southbound.
– Leave the M1 at junction 6 then take the M25 eastbound.
– leave the M25 at junction 29 and take the A127 to Southend.
– As you get close to Southend itself the road is known as ‘Prince Avenue’ but later you turn right onto the A127 Victoria Avenue
– Half a mile after that roundabout, turn right onto Fairfax Drive
– The ground is on your left
There is plenty of on-street parking close to the ground but please park considerately for local residents.
GOING BY TRAIN?
The closest station is Prittlewell, only a five minute walk from Roots Hall.
The 0833 GNER service from Skunk Central gets you to London Kings Cross just before midday; take the tube across town to London Liverpool Street then catch the 12.34pm ‘One Railway’ service to Prittlewell, arriving at around 1.30pm – time for a pint before going to the ground.
STOPPING OVER?
– Travelodge, Chichester Rd, Southend: 01702 612694
– Travel Inn, Eastern Esplanade, Southend: 0870 990 6370
Plus, as it’s a holiday area, there are plenty of small hotels and guest houses; but as it’s a mid-August fixture with school holidays in full swing, it’s advisable to book in advance.
SCRAN AND BOOZE
The catering facilities at the ground are said to be fairly rudimentary – it’s been likened to a transport cafe! But there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat in central Southend. The ‘Shrimpers Bar’ inside the ground is for members only.
Got any suggestions for good pubs in the Southend area for pre-match drinks? Email [email protected] and we’ll update the guide with them
LEND US A FIVER I’M OUT OF CASH
There’s an Abbey ATM at the BP garage just along Fairfax Road from the stadium, and a Royal Bank Of Scotland ATM at the BP garage on West Street, also very close to the stadium.
LAST SEASON
League One champions – promoted automatically with 82 points.
LAST 6 MEETINGS
27.02.96 Southend 0 Sunderland 2 (Bridges, Scott)
09.09.95 Sunderland 1 Southend 0 (Russell)
25.02.95 Southend 0 Sunderland 1 (Agnew)
01.10.94 Sunderland 0 Southend 1
23.04.94 Southend 0 Sunderland 1 (Smith)
20.11.93 Sunderland 0 Southend 2
Credits SUFC, Link, Multimap, Soccerbase, National Rail, Internet Ground Guide.
