Southend fans 'delighted' to secure trip to Wembley

Hundreds of fans have been celebrating at Southend United's ground after the team secured their place in the FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium.

There was a cacophony of noise with supporters banging drums and cheering as the 700-strong crowd left Roots Hall, where a big screen had been set up to show the game away to Southport.

The Shrimpers won 3-1 in the semi-final, with fans toasting Charley Kendall's brace of goals after the National League side initially went behind in Merseyside.

Supporter Andy Long was among those watching at Roots Hall and said he was "delighted" by the win, adding "Charley Kendall, with the rest of the team, was absolutely superb".

"The boys played really well - they battled and they fought," he said.

"Well done [head coach] Kevin Maher - he's done a terrific job for the last two or three years, taking the club from nowhere to Wembley."

Southend will face Wealdstone on 17 May at the national stadium, where they will be hoping for a better result having suffered defeat to Oldham in the National League play-off final in the capital last season.

After the final whistle was heard on the Roots Hall screen, fan Nathan Doucette said he felt "very, very excited" about going to Wembley "twice in the space of a year".

At the start of the season, he said he had been "stressed, but it's all good - we're there now. If we get one trophy, that's a start".

Shrimpers fan Lauren Perry said she was also "delighted".

"We thoroughly deserve it - we done so well," she said.

"I never had any doubt - we've got the best team in the world."

Southend were allocated 808 tickets for match at Southport's Haig Avenue ground.

Former Shrimpers midfielder Glenn Pennyfather - host of BBC Essex's Football Fans' Phone-In show - was one of the station's commentators.

"I heard someone say 'if you're going to Wembley fairly often, you must be doing something right'," he said.

"And the Blues must be doing something right recently because they're off to Wembley again, which is fantastic.

"There won't be any limitations on Blues fans getting tickets this time - we're hoping it's going to be a wonderful atmosphere and a great occasion."

The attendance at the play-off final last year was capped at 52,000 at 90,000-capacity Wembley.

Southend's route to the final has also included wins against Truro City, Bath City, Chatham Town and Horsham.

Striker Kendall, 25, said the team were "very excited" to be playing on the famous turf again.

"We've all got that bit between our teeth that we want to go there and win," he said.

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