SOUL OF THE SPORT: Southend United are clinging on for existence after years of mismanagement. Barnet took all three points on Friday night but the fans are happy to have a club to root for – KEVIN QUIGLEY captures the mood in pictures
- Every Monday of the week, our Soul of Sport series will take readers behind the scenes at major sporting events.
- Kevin Quigley traveled to South East Essex to capture the raw emotions of Southend United fans on Friday.
- His photographs give a perfect idea of the love fans have for their local non-league soccer teams.
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Welcome back to the Soul of Sport. sports mailPhotographers from captured the optimism, passion and eventual heartbreak of Newcastle fans during their Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester United last week and have returned to show another sporting event in great behind-the-scenes detail.
From the riches of Carabao Cup glory to the rags of financial turmoil in non-league soccer, sports mail they were eager to capture the raw emotion of fans on the brink of losing their club.
So, for our second episode of the series, KEVIN QUIGLEY traveled to South East Essex to visit National League side Southend United, who finally paid off their £1.4m debt to HMRC last Tuesday, but whose long-term future remains on a razor’s edge. .
Several supporters feared last month’s clash with Gateshead would mark the last game at Roots Hall for Southend, but fans turned out in droves to cheer on their side against Barnet on Friday and to protest Chairman Ron Martin’s rule during the defeat by 1-0. .
The match was emotional. It showed how much soccer clubs mean to fans. This is the soul of the sport.
If you are interested in purchasing any of Kevin Quigley’s images, please email kevin.quigley@mailonline.co.uk.
Roots Hall, home to National League side Southend United, is no more than two miles from the city’s seafront.
Southend Pier is a key attraction for both locals and tourists in the city, although it is much busier during the warmer summer months.
Very few people were wandering the seafront on Friday, with a number of locals looking forward to Southend United’s game against Barnet, despite all the uncertainty clinging to the club at the moment under Ron Martin’s ownership.
Fans congregate at the Blue Boar pub and enjoy a drink hours before kick-off, no more than 400 yards from the stadium.
Everyone was in high spirits before kick-off at the local pub, hoping to cause an upset against fourth-placed Barnet, as Southend remain locked in an unlikely play-off bid despite discontent off the pitch.
A Blue Boar fan passionately points to his Southend United crest as a symbol of his support for the non-league club
Other Shrimpers fans grab a bite to eat at The Fish House before the game, a popular take-out spot near Roots Hall.
One sign wryly describes now as an “exciting era” for Southend, which has been left on the brink of financial difficulties.
A group of Southend supporters queue outside the stadium ahead of their club’s National League clash against Barnet.
Supporters could buy matchday programs for £3 at the stadium, representing crucial income for non-league teams.
Several fans took the opportunity to protest mismanagement at Southend, calling on owner Martin to leave the club.
Southend’s mascot, Sammy the Shrimp, kept spirits up by interacting with supporters before kick-off on Friday night.
The National League team, which ranks eighth in the division, was not without support with more than 7,000 fans in attendance at Roots Hall.
It was a promising first half for the home side and Shrimpers supporters were optimistic that they could get a positive result.
Burgers, cakes and treats were on offer as fans enjoyed some half-time snacks, with the score tied at 0-0.
Shrimp fans take a moment outside the terraces to catch up and enjoy a drink during the break
As is often the case at the bottom of the football pyramid, fans get a great view of the game from their seats.
Southend fans watch in anguish as Idris Kanu puts the visitors 1-0 ahead, with a goal that proved to be the winner on Friday.
A crestfallen Shrimpers supporter bows his head after watching his beloved Southend fall to Barnet 1-0
It wasn’t the result Southend supporters were hoping for on Friday, but at least for now they still have a club to cheer for.