Southend United Community Trust are encouraging local football clubs and schools to bring groups of young people to the Blues Matchday Experience.

The initiative of the Community Trust, who are one of only 30 football clubs in the country to be awarded The Football League Trust Silver Accreditation, involves pre-match coaching sessions before the children come to Roots Hall to watch the Southend first team in action for a League One match of their choice.

A small fee will secure your booking and groups of children will get a two-hour coaching session based around fun teamwork and developing skills at Playfootball.net, which takes place on state of the art artificial pitches with fantastic facilities.

They will then arrive at Roots Hall to watch Southend United in action, with a tannoy announcement welcoming them to the ground.

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All the children will receive a matchday programme, which will feature a team photo of themselves, and will get the chance to meet some of the first team players prior to kick-off for the opportunity to get autographs.

And as a bonus, all teams who take part in the matchday experience will be entered into a grand prize draw at the end of the season to win a VIP coaching day and ground tour at Roots Hall.

Community coach Ben Duncan said: "The Blues Matchday Experience is open to all groups and teams and it is a great friendly, fun and engaging day out.

"We are looking for youth football teams, school teams and community groups and even adult football teams are also welcome.

"The cost of the programme is £20 per person and groups can now pay with an instalment plan which is available for the first time.

"All coaching sessions take place at Premier League quality training facilities and are coached by fully qualified Southend United Community Coaches.

"Each group that has booked will also get a signed Southend United football."

If you are interested in joining the Blues Matchday Experience or if you would like further information, you can contact Ben on 01702 341351 or email: b.duncan@southendunited-cet.co.uk