Roots Hall Stadium: Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6NQ
Tel: 01702 30 40 50
Email: info@southend-united.co.uk

Information:

Roots Hall has been the home of Southend United since August 1955 after the site was purchased in 1952.

It took ten years to fully complete the building of Roots Hall, the first game being played here on 20th August 1955, a 3-1 Division Three (South) victory over Norwich City, but the ground was far from complete.

The Main East Stand had barely been fitted and ran only 50 yards of the touchline, whilst only a few steps of terracing encircled the ground, with the North, West and the huge South Bank still largely unconcreted. The North Stand had a single-barrelled roof but this only ran the length of the penalty area whilst the West Bank was only covered at its rear by a similar structure.

Although the ground was far from finished, during the inaugural season this was the least of the Club's worries, for the pitch at Roots Hall was a disgrace. The fact that the pitch had been laid on top of thousands of tonnes of compacted rubbish, drainage was somewhat of a problem, and the wet winter had turned the ground into a complete quagmire.

Needless to say the pitch was completely re-laid in the summer of 1956 and a proper drainage system, which is still in place, was constructed whilst the West Bank roof was extended to reach the touchline, creating a unique double-barrelled structure.

The terracing was finally completed soon after, but the colossal task of completely terracing the South Bank, all of its 72 steps, was not completed until 1964. The North Bank roof was extended in the early sixties, and the East Stand was extended to run the full length of the pitch in 1966. Floodlights were also installed during this period.

Roots Hall was designed to hold 35,000 spectators, with over 15,000 on the South Bank alone, but the highest recorded attendance at the ground is 31,090 for an FA Cup third round tie with Liverpool in January 1979.

Amazingly, until 1988 Roots Hall was still the newest ground in the Football League, but it was then that the ground saw a significant change. United had hit bad times in the mid eighties and new chairman Vic Jobson sold virtually all of the South Bank for development, leaving just a tiny block of 15 steps.

In 1994 Jobson self-designed a new stand at the South End. Seats were installed onto the original terracing whilst a second tier was added, with the upper level giving some of the best views in the country. The West Bank had already become seated in 1992 upon United's elevation to Division Two whilst the East Stand paddock also recieved a new seating deck, bolted and elevated from the terracing below. In 1995 the West Stand roof was extended to meet up with the North and South Stands, with seating installed into each corner, thus giving us the Roots Hall we see today, with a capacity of just under 12,500.

Location:

Directions:

By Car
From M25 take Junction 29 and follow the A127 to Southend. Continue towards the town centre, through the lights near to the Bell Pub. At the next roundabout turn right (3rd turning), continuing on the A127. The ground is on the right just past the next traffic lights.

By Train
The closest station to the ground is Prittlewell, about a five minute walk away. It is served by trains from London Liverpool Street. As you exit the station turn right, you will then come to a crossroads with traffic lights. On your right is the 'Fish House', fish and chip shop. Pass this and turn right. Walk about 100 yards and the ground is tucked away on your left.

If you happen to end up at Southend Central station (served by trains from London Fenchurch Street), you're about a 25 minute walk from the ground. The main bus station is close to Southend Central, and therefore it may be ideal to get a bus up to the ground, rather than walking. The numbers 7, 8, 9, and 29 buses all stop right outside Roots Hall Football Ground.

Where to stay?

If you are planning on visiting Southend for the weekend then supporters can receive a special discounted rate at the Thorpe Bay Premier Inn. Simply call 01702 583600 to book a room and state you are a football supporter to qualify for this special promotional offer.