A Fan's Plea for Respect, Pride & Better Times | A Southend United Story

Times have fallen hard on Southend United in recent years. From securing League One promotion at Wembley in 2015 to now facing the prospect of dropping out of the English Football League for the first time in their 114 year history.
Among their drastic dip in form has been other causes for concern as well. Constantly chased by the taxman, unpaid players, transfer embargos, and a torturously delayed move to a new stadium, the bad news seems endless. Many at Roots Hall now point the finger for this demise upon their long standing chairman, Ron Martin.
Dear Chairman is the sum of these woes, encapsulated in a hand written letter to Ron by life long Shrimper, Kerry Fairless.
This is the first release as part of a broader campaign we are working on with our friends at Goal Click documenting the precarious state that many Football League and non league clubs sadly currently find themselves in. The campaign will include both film and photography, with all stories told through the fans perspective.
#SouthendUnited #FootballLeague #GoalClick
Film By: Nick Manser, Sam Lewis, and Rory Reames
Welcome to COPA90 Stories, a brand new channel exploring the greatest footballing stories from across the planet.
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[@MrScoot27]

I'm from Slovakia, I've first noticed Southend when playing FIFA 2005, and I've been following the team ever since. What's going on in the club right now is just sad and I really hope for the good people of Southend that their fortunes will turn around very soon.

[@lionsroar9782]

9 games left to save our league status scored 1 goal in the last 7 games I think we are doomed

[@MrScoot27]

It really does seem ominous, I can't disagree one bit. But I also can't imagine this club going the ways of Macclesfield or Bury, it just doesn't seem real.

[@lionsroar9782]

@@MrScoot27 with Ron in charge anything is possible. A 3 stand stadium shows the mans ambition and with housing and not retail outlets as first said I doubt it will ever get built

[@JorgeRamirez-lg9nn]

I remember playing with Eastwood back in the day, it made me a supporter

[@samkelly2175]

@@MrScoot27 you choose the wrong Essex side lad. Only team in Essex is Colchester

[@IceReef]

Echoing the sentiments of every deeply depressed Southend fan

[@krob2327]

The Martin family are parasites who just care about the flats

[@joshnicholls5040]

As a Blackpool fan my heart goes out to Southend. Remember playing you in the LDV Vans Trophy Final back in 2004 and you brought something like 20,000 fans, good club and set of supporters. Hope you get your club sorted out.

[@robbasin]

I was there and your winger I forget who it was but they absolutely destroyed us everytime they got the ball. Best of luck with your season mate

[@graemeyetts3465]

I was there and Blackpool deservedly won on the day. I know BFC fans share our pain after the terrible Oyston period and am glad to see ur club doing better.

[@ynwafanmrks1817]

Hopefully Southend Utd get proper management and players. Respect to all fans of ''shit'' teams who stick through thick and thin. That match vs Man Utd must have felt like being the king of the world for Southend fans.

[@unusedsub3003]

You lot weren't whingeing about Oysten when you were in the Premier League. Now you're back where you belong........in our shadow. UTW

[@joshnicholls5040]

If Preston were ever in difficulty and fearing for their future I would want them to come through it. Local rivalries are really not that important, as fans of community clubs we all need to stand together when one of us is struggling. Although our loyalties may be different we all ultimately want the same thing: to enjoy supporting our team.

[@samuelnoonan7682]

These documentaries are always fascinating and so well done

[@lionsroar9782]

Not for life long true southend united fans it isn't from Wembley 5 years ago to this because of one mans greed

[@blank-dr2kx]

Do you know of any others mate? Link me

[@kanervatie]

And many times very sad.

[@dylaz13]

damn this got me emotional and I have absolutely no connection with Southend

[@lionsroar9782]

Need to get this out there Ron Martin wants to build flats on the roots Hall pitch with a new ground a red herring to keep us quiet. The new ground has been an on going saga since the mid 80s under a different chairman who made a fortune building flats on half the south Bank. Its disgusting what club and fans have had to put up with

[@shaneketchley7946]

You should imagine how we feel then. It is hard

[@johnnymartinsantander2156]

First Music Makes me think about what has been done for a people's sports. Its just hard to swallow.

[@Tdr-jv2nc]

@@lionsroar9782 Similar to what happened to us (Brighton) luckily we are in a good place now but I remember when they sold the goldstone ground back in 97 and we literally played our games miles away at gillingham

[@corsijtsma3546]

Its stunning how much effort and time is being put in these videos. I like that it isn't always about big clubs, but also smaller clubs that have a great history and how such clubs affect the people in the city/region! Keep up the good work lads!

[@copa90stories]

A local community should be at the beating heart of every football club.

[@shanewright2772]

@@copa90stories But they're not - your narrator makes that very point. Twice.

[@lionsroar9782]

@@shanewright2772 we get 5k average attendance at roots Hall 2k of those have another team mainly from one of the 3 pl London clubs because we are so close to London sufc will never be a big football club. Supported the shrimpers since 1979 and will continue to do so until Ron Martin bankrupts the club

[@blank-dr2kx]

@@shanewright2772 I'm a Blackburn Rovers fan. Have been since my first match in 86 when my backside blessed Ewoods wooden seats (now replaced thankfully) I've seen them win cups, make finals, jump up divisions, win playoffs. I watched my team win the Premier league. Every fans dream and we experienced it. Our cotton town stuck in the middle of Lancashire. We have a history. A history that makes us one of the longest serving football teams in the entire Football association. We've had heroes, we've had failures, we've got black and white footage from a hundred years ago. We used to have a packed Ewood park. We also lost a town icon. Not just a money man for the club. Jack walker. He made our town an international investor of Steel and some. Now we have the Venkys. They've ruined our club. Hollowed it out and ruined it. Still we fight and we play, the fans go but we go out of love and so we should, but we deserve more. The town deserves more. Saturdays would come around....oh boy you knew when it was Saturday.... The Bolton Road. The main road down to Ewood. FULL with fans spanning the road like ants carrying food. Not a car to be seen... WALKING DOWN THE BOLTON ROAD!!! TO SEE THE BLACKBURN ACES!!!!! BLUE BLUE BLUE AND WHITE BLUE BLUE BLUE AND WHITE!!!!! You can walk a sleeping crèche past Ewood on a saturday. Chairmen/owners need to be made accountable for ridiculous decisions

[@outright4620]

I just dont know what to say after watch this and i wanna ask is londoners the narratir refering is WHU because i just fans from over sea and mostly watch from club live tv

[@susanrussell5364]

My Dad played centre forward for the Blues in the late 1940s. If he were still around he would be heartbroken at the situation the club is in (as are we all). Excellent video.

[@blade9194]

Wow, what was his name?

[@ryandeasy678]

Seeing the demise of my club in front of my eyes over the last few years has been heartbreaking to watch. But us fans will keep fighting, we won’t be silenced and we won’t give up. No matter what happens to us come the end of May. I will still be proud to call myself a shrimper, Southend till I die! Ron Martin Out! UTB

[@roycropper698]

Can’t believe fans locked out the manager 😂😂. Shows passion and love for the club though

[@jimmanycricket3756]

Superb stuff and really makes the whole situation hit home unfortunately

[@AdamSmith-xp2ep]

My Club we will return one day

[@nonleagueawaydays]

return to what never was there in the first place always low league

[@AdamSmith-xp2ep]

@@nonleagueawaydays thats not what's it is about idm lower league. I want a stable club that doesn't worry about finances and players playing for the badge

[@jonsaddler3067]

As a Walsall fan I feel your pain. We are at our lowest in a 100 years of league football too. The passion and love generations of fans have for their local team is not understood by many in football. You express it beautifully and painfully here.

[@acustomer3518]

you lot gotta be careful too ey your very close

[@shropshirelad-zp8ks]

😂😂😂

[@dannysouthendutdramsay1212]

Walsall are my second club! I use to live in Pelsall!

[@fizzleface5249]

Even worse up until about a week ago when the new guy came in

[@softballpanther17]

My heart goes out to all of the frustrated Southend fans out there. I admittedly don't really follow football (or "soccer" here in the US), but I share your pain. I've lived most of my life in the western part of New York state and have followed the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League since I was a child. Much like Southend, poor management has turned a club I was once so proud of in to the laughing stock of the league. We've been "rebuilding" for over a decade and currently are in the midst of a 15 game losing streak. We've had a revolving door of head coaches, bad trades, bad free agent signings, draft busts, etc. and it looks like there is no end in sight. I may support a club from a completely different sport, but I feel your pain through and through. I sincerely hope that your luck will change and you guys can find a competent owner. Seeing a team you care so much about struggling to stay afloat is hell for any true sports fan.

[@jimvortex]

As a Leeds fan I feel some sympathy...its taken us 16 years of bad management and 20 managers..really hope southend can dig themselves out of this hole

[@tomlee812]

Thank you.

[@fozlesgitit1568]

leeds fan too, relate on the same level never nice to see a proud club mismanaged like this

[@jameswelham7215]

First class. Not been a fan as long as Kerry (a mere 35 years for me) but he really does speak for us all here.

[@jackkiely4053]

Stunning quality on this doc. Very well made. Poor southend United. I hope they get their act together

[@ryandeasy678]

The only thing holding us back is an arrogant and stubborn chairman. Once he goes we can kick on again and as you said get our act together

[@lionsroar9782]

@@ryandeasy678 Ron Martin out. I thought vic jobson was bad and anton jonson but Ron Martin just a blatant leach

[@ryandeasy678]

@@lionsroar9782 I guess fortunately for me I wasn’t alive when Vic Jonson and Anton Jonson were in charge. Saying that I guess I got the worse, one a true crook who has no real interest in the club all he’s interested in is developing Roots Hall into a housing estate

[@lionsroar9782]

@@ryandeasy678 seems sufc has always been a cash cow for rogue chairman. Jobson sold half the south Bank to build flats on and anton jonson just run off with load of cash. Ron Martin is using covid to his advantage what with no fans allowed in roots hall

[@fingerboardingforbegginers4211]

Damm, as a wycombe fan i feel deeply sorry for every single one of you Southend fans and hope u stay up.

[@sufcberry]

What a difference in direction since THAT goal!

[@Dinner-uo8kf]

@@sufcberry Not anymore. Im sorry to hear of the clubs relegation. A friend of mine is a fan so I’ve looked at the scores occasionally. In my opinion it was inevitable, however the players put up a huge fight. Hopefully a new owner and a season or two in the national league will bring stability

[@markf9761]

This is why I respect people who support clubs in the lower leagues far more than the Man Utd and Chelsea ‘fans’

[@cliffcrancher4474]

I respect fans of any club who go to matches. Why wouldn’t you respect someone born in Manchester area who follows them home and away?

[@branthall1787]

@@cliffcrancher4474 Deluded sense of self grandeur. They think themselves more than those they judge because they deem their own pursuits to be more "noble" or whatever.

[@niamh9500]

Right because i chose to support united I ain’t a true fan.. jog on child

[@markf9761]

@@niamh9500 I did not say that at all - my point is these fans have been through a hell of a lot more struggles than those who consider a 4th or 5th place finish a bad season

[@rodeduivel1000]

True , i know alot of people that say they support a world team like Chelsea, Liverpool, United , hell i even met some guy in the Netherlands that supports Leeds United , which i respect , but if i ask how many trophies each team had they didn't know.... And then they say that i don't know nothing about football just beceause i support fan culture of usual lower tier teams more then the prem. .. jup i am the kind of guy that rather go see a millwall game instead of a west ham (not to say west ham has bad support, one of the best in the prem imo😂😂)

[@albertbrace7553]

Brings me up in tears. Southend Till I Die!!! 🔵⚽🦐

[@mrmoo1480]

Me too, but will Southend last that long 😢

[@terrychamberlin8242]

It's my club to if Southend United go I see me supporting any other club Southend United til die

[@del_boi2751]

as a scunthorpe Utd fan. i understand the horrors of a bad owner but not to this extent. i hope things change for southend -from the iron fanbase, and footballing community

[@lionsroar9782]

He's come out of the woodwork since this video check out the shrimpers trust meeting with Ron Martin on you tube march 25th the lies and down talking to the fans is your typical business man mentality its a sport not a business

[@tomlee812]

Thank you.

[@thomasgigg7658]

It appears you may have jinxed your entire season

[@andycrowe33]

This film puts into words how utterly broken we are feeling as we watch our club die a slow, painful, public death. To the players and the coaching staff, I don’t really blame you, it’s not your fault...I just wish I could watch you play and say, hand on heart, that you were leaving everything on the field. It’s just a job for you...but this is our club. Southend United means more to me than you will ever know; it connects me with extended family both past and present, with my brother and my Dad, with my home. Southend United is OUR CLUB. 💙

[@intrepidbun5002]

amazing film, thank you. respect from Pompey, we've fallen and risen and its a hard journey...

[@davidmuoka3328]

As an arsenal fan i really miss you guys Portsmouth would always grace the premier league and not to mention your cup glory in 2008

[@brendanwalker8491]

As a Leyton orient fan, I've enjoyed our 'rivalry' and our visits to Roots Hall. Brilliant, heart wrenching message and I wish and hope you have better times ahead with someone who helps. We were very fortunate when in similar circumstances not so long ago. Hope you have similar good fortune. Good luck and Up The Shrimpers. xx

[@franciswilliam2905]

And speaking as a Southend fan I was disheartened when I saw Leyton drop in similar circumstances. Up the O's.

[@ArchefluxxMusic]

I appreciate that sentiment, especially as the club media team mocked as Orient dropped out of the league. It's the sort of thing you wouldn't wish on your biggest rivals

[@ArchefluxxMusic]

Maybe Colchester, to be fair

[@att6484]

​@@ArchefluxxMusic we are both utterly wank. It's been a real shite time for Essex football

[@aaronturner3015]

Loved that very well put together. As a Gillingham fan I look forward to the Southend games.I as a football fan hate to see any club go through tough times.to all the Southend fans I do hope and prey you stay up and push on next season,if it doesn't go your way come back soon

[@jackperham4195]

Thanks Gillingham away is always a good one. Not when it rains though How can you have no roof on a stadium?

[@aaronturner3015]

That's the question I cant answer,like most chairman they tell you what they want you to hear then never act,our away end since the temporary stand went up has been 20yrs in the waiting ..I would just like to say the league table will not be the same if you guys are not in it

[@ellisshort1183]

@@aaronturner3015 hopefully we will be able to play each other soon!! Martin out!!!

[@gsrywebley4617]

From a Brighton fan would love is gillingham and southend to get a new stadium. I think you both clubs want can grow you fan base like we did

[@aaronturner3015]

@@gsrywebley4617 could not agree more,think most football teams would be better run by fans,as for your team Brighton they have a fantastic stadium and PL Football, good luck for rest of season

[@SoulsofEmber99]

A West Ham fan I may be, being the son of an East London exile. But Southend United are my local club and I love them dearly. Call me a two team wanker all you like but that club is ingrained on you from birth where I come from. If you're not a Southend fan from a Southend family. You're two team, just how it is. So thank you COPA 90 for the exposure my club needed. COYB

[@cliffcrancher4474]

So always curious in this scenario...who would you want to win if they played each other?

[@Matthew.03]

@@cliffcrancher4474 very much the same for me... from a family with an arsenal crazy dad he brought me up to support arsenal and as I got older was told by my best mate about supporting your local and since have supported Southend and still now I support both Southend and Arsenal as much as each other... years ago I wouldn’t be able to answer that question but I think I’d say Arsenal so they don’t get bantered online

[@SoulsofEmber99]

@@cliffcrancher4474 depends the situation, friendly probably Southend, but in a cup West Ham

[@SoulsofEmber99]

@@Matthew.03 Its definitely common

[@georgebaker1486]

True. My family is from Highbury but I was born in Rochford so I'm Arsenal and Southend.

[@davidpeters1918]

Was at the Millennium Stadium for that Playoff Final & the Eastwood free kick in 06' vs United was magical. Halcyon days for a proud old football club. 😢 #MartinOut

[@paulyb2405]

Showed this to my uncle who's also a life long fan and turns out he used to know Kerry and played a bit of cricket with him back in the day. This is my hometown team and the current situation for us is dire and so saddening..COYB 💙

[@thisisstuart7951]

I hope Southend United bounce back. Love from Arsenal fan

[@criminalxix1233]

Being a Southend supporter myself this hurts to watch and him saying it’s like having a pet being put down week in week out isn’t a understatement people don’t understand what clubs can do to people hope we can turn this horrible journey around and bounce back next season no matter where we are league 2 or national league 😭💙💙

[@ryansmith2645]

Bless you sir

[@sheldwardo342]

Southend deserve a lot better than what they got. Big town who should have a football league club. Hoping for better days for y'all. Chelsea fan.

[@andrewpjardine]

This is beautiful and saddening all at once. As a Luton fan, I've experienced these lows too. Kerry, I wish you and the club a brighter future.

[@declanmcghie1559]

Much respect for making this. UTB

[@kdlofty]

I'm a Liverpool fan, but i find it heartbreaking to see clubs like this being treated the way they are. Clubs like this are the lifeblood of football. I remember the days when you had Stan Collymore playing for you.

[@jimmycburfield5997]

Carlisle United fan here. I have been to Southend in 1996. I bet a game in Southend would be great for away fans from the south. David Crown and Martin Ling, they were quality players. With my club we have been in similar dire straits. I really hope things turn around for Southend.

[@lionsroar9782]

Good luck for Saturday when we play you mate we need 3 points and we need a David crown right now

[@adrianellis6902]

Super video, that should have not have had to be made, Southend united is more than a football club, I really hope that better times come soon, from a Tranmere rovers fan, all the best.

[@patrickclinton2802]

I was a teacher in Southend in 2018 and went to many games at roots hall during their league one campaign. Hope they climb back up to the football league.

[@MotownShaker]

The reality is English football will never change until the fans actually do something about it collectively.

[@yaneyd93]

You're 100% right. English football fans only care if the owner of their own club is not doing well. Pompey fans even voted to sell the club again after they rebuilt it as fans. That's why I don't see anything changing.

[@skog5209]

English football was ruined when the Premier League came along.

[@therealCJW900]

@@yaneyd93 tbf to pompey they couldn't afford to maintain all the costs coz they didn't have enough fan members

[@BLUEBLOOD1970]

@@skog5209 absolutely 100% correct .. and Sky TV is soooo far up the Premiershites arse

[@neilboulton9813]

@ Lara Schou What a sweeping and inaccurate statement from someone who probably knows precisely nothing about English football? How has English football been ruined by the Premier League? Mismanagement at a lower league level is not their responsibility and it’s not as if it is a closed shop for those aspiring to gain promotion to the top division. As the oldest league system in the world that aspiration has never been any different since its inception as the old division 1. English football from the multiple pyramids of clubs is deeply embedded in their communities. Evident from the army of supporters and volunteers who love these clubs and where there are more amateur clubs and players than anywhere else in Europe, so this is the real English football.

[@Merritt7278]

Unreal Kerry, last 2 months have seen better days thank God, for one minute I thought we was going to be no more. I did see you at Woking and should have come over to say thank you for this film, really hit home and the tears was flowing at the time but since King Kev im smiling again.

[@alexfealy9129]

In the past two days me and my brother both played a charity match at roots hall. Myself this saturday and my older brother on sunday. It was the first time in years I have been back to roots hall. It's a shame it wasn't to watch my local team play, where I have so many great memories. Even being at the hall, walking through the tunnel, seeing the changing rooms, and of course playing on the pitch. I could see how run down the ground really is. Seeing that there has been no maintenance what so ever. The seats are old and falling apart, just like the rest of the ground and the club itself. It just reflects that no money is being invested in the club. What was built by the fans, or the lower class so to speak, was ruined and destroyed by the owners or upper class.

[@phildavies100]

As wrexham fan....I feel your pain...you are about to enter the most difficult league to get out of in the world..it’s been a total nightmare for us..even with our multimillionaire owners there is no guarantee...good luck for the future..stay strong...

[@stuartsweeting]

I'm a Gillingham supporter and it's so sad to see southend in this mess. I hope things get better for you soon all the best from the gills.

[@robertpawley8293]

That was a hard watch. The last 15 years as a southend fan have been a daily rollercoaster, league two to championship and back again..... and then up again.... and then back again. All this amidst a constant threat of the next winding up order. It makes you numb after the constant barrage of it all. A lot of those highs were not long ago, but they feel like a lifetime. I was on the back row of the lower tier behind the goal when Pigott scored, and remember being moved to tears of joy. Watching this, this morning I am moved to tears of sadness.

[@dirkbogarde44]

It was ever thus....though, never as bad as things are now. I was a regular fan as a kid in the late 70's, early 80's (Colin Morris, Dave Spence, Alan Moody etc etc), when we won the old 4th division, then went up...stayed a bit and got relegated again. Sad times.

[@diariodibordoafootballvlog5515]

I lived in Southend for 3 years while I was studying at the University of Essex. I was fortunate to live some of the magical moments he mentioned in this video, like the last minute equalizer from Piggot which gave the Shrimps the chance to win at the penalties. However, my favorite moment remains a 3-0 victory in the local derby over Colchester United. Unbelievable atmosphere at Roots Hall that Saturday afternoon (I'm having goosebumps while I am writing this). Now I am feeling gutted about this entire situation... every weekend I check Southend's results and hope they can escape from relegation zone. The town doesn't deserve to be out of the Football League. To all Southend's fan I wish you all the best for the rest of this terrible season and I send you a huge hug from Italy

[@WASPS1867]

Keep supporting them mate cos without fans like you there is no club.... from a Hammer

[@phoenixmiketv3384]

Absolutely incredible video, saying exactly how every single Southend United fan feels. I was 5 when I first went to The Hall, 19 years of highs and lows but this really is the lowest I’ve seen. Chairman doesn’t care for the town, the players don’t care about the town, managers don’t care about the town. Heartbreaking

[@punkrockcharts9148]

Very sad. I grew up in a different country, but my grandfather was a local and a lifelong Southend fan. I live in a country obsessed with the EPL and while people know that I'm football mad, they're often left puzzled when I tell them I don't have any interest in the EPL. My team isn't even in League football anymore. Hopefully one day, they will be back. C'mon Shrimpers.

[@att6484]

I can't imagine we will be back for a while sadlh

[@fionanjie7995]

Wow so well done Hope things look up 🤞🏻 From a Harrogate town fan

[@lionsroar9782]

Easy 3 points for you tomorrow

[@callum2808]

This is a superb documentary. Captures the heart and soul of many southend fans like myself. We shouldn't be in the position we're in but it's reality and in truth i can't see us staying up. Whatever the outcome, i will never stop supporting my home town club.

[@ellisshort1183]

No matter if we go down or not I'm Southend till I die!!!

[@debbiecopland5255]

Actually felt really emotional watching that Kerry. Great work!

[@robertmorley3609]

As a supporter of Notts County for over 70 years, I get it. Man do I get it. 30 years ago we were in the top level, the old First Division. Now we struggle to get out of the National League. Best wishes.

[@DafyddDafyddDafydd]

I hope Southend United gets the best recovery they can. One of the only times they were huge was when they once knocked out Manchester United in the League Cup.

[@copa90stories]

What a memorable night for The Shrimpers.

[@lionsroar9782]

Beat Newcastle United 4-0 at roots Hall to go top of the old 2nd division as well

[@shanewright2772]

@@copa90stories They actually have the best record against Manchester United of any club. Bonus trivia - the team with the all-time best record against Barcelona is Dundee United.

[@copa90stories]

@@shanewright2772 Pub Quiz knowledge right there Shane.

[@lionsroar9782]

@@copa90stories i was there that memorable night when Freddie Eastwoods free kick hit the back of the net

[@iaintinsley3123]

Superb this. From a Witton Albion fan.

[@Joshua-cz7uh]

I think this documentary speaks on behalf of every fan of Southend and I’d like to thank Kerry for showing it perfectly.

[@mitchfeaver3107]

Hard to be a shrimper in these dark times. This hurts but boy it needed to be said and it was said brilliantly.

[@janebessman5340]

this is the best football youtube channel by a mile, amazing work like always. I hope you all get the recognition that you so rightfully deserve.

[@TheReubenburns]

Simply incredible Kerry, powerful documentary and IT really hits home. I am sure of it that good times will return but all we can do is remember the good times we have already had. UTB

[@robertdeal9630]

This is so well done and brilliantly told. I personally hate seeing any of the clubs lower down the leagues struggle it’s a horrible situation for fans. One that I honestly does get better for Southend! Great job guys!

[@jamiesmith4209]

These are my favourite types of videos you do, caring and speaking up for the smaller and proper football clubs, fascinating and really well put together👏👏

[@tonygreen1775]

Feel the pain I am a massive Burnley fan and remember the very dark season of 1987. If we had lost to Leyton orient I think we would have gone under with the relegation to non league. I hope Southend can turn it round and avoid relegation.

[@nicolelochren9560]

Beautifully written straight from the heart ♥️.

[@AdrianNUFC]

I appreciate the time and quality you put into these documentaries.

[@markhazel9570]

Well done Kerry, certainly bought a lump to my throat. All the Southend fans are behind you. Been a season ticket holder for 30 years, now fed up with the Chairman’s ‘weasel words’ to placate the fans.RON MARTIN OUT!!

[@mellowado6184]

It's great to see fans who support their local clubs around the country showing their support for SUFC in this comment section. What a difference between them and the fans of Glory Hunter FC, many from the other side of the country at each other throats in the Premiership.

[@Guybo2112]

Points well made and well put across. There's a damn sight more effort gone into this video than, sadly, we see from a lot of our players and a damn sight more thought than Ron puts into his relationship with the fans. Well done to all involved in this film. COYB!

[@charliezone9723]

I'm a 22 year old shrimper born and raised. This documentary had me crying for the future of the club. The same story every season, cutting the highest earners and selling the best prospects. Undisclosed fees every year can't stand it and if it carries on we're history.

[@davidhull9510]

That was an amazing video. Really well put together, and moving at the same time. Let's hope Southend can do better in the coming years.

[@neilboulton9813]

Great video and the effort applied to its production. Your love and family connection with Southend as your club provides that bedrock of your affection and ongoing support despite the current regime. All the best from a supporter of one of those London clubs - Spurs and I really hope there are better times ahead and I know you will keep the faith.

[@Alex-ez6zk]

Brilliant vid, im a gills fan and we’ve been through our tough times but luckily came through it. Being a gills fan I’m not a massive fan of southend, but I’d be devestated to see them go under since at the end of the day they’re very much like my own little club, a community club built by and for local people that represents the area. Good luck southend and hope to be playing (and beating) yous again soon

[@dogzlipstick]

my god mate, brilliant vid, being an old school Boro fan, I feel your pain!Roots Hall was one of my fav away days, '91, top pubs, fans and even the plod were ok!Keep yer chin up mate, keep the faith, you'll be reet🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@leesmith3860]

Absolutely brilliant. Captures the thoughts of most Southend fans right now. Change needed now. SOS

[@essexstill1988]

MARTINOUT!

[@jamiea9482]

Great little documentary, very well put together as always by Copa 90. It’s a shame seeing clubs in the lower leagues struggling like this, it makes me appreciate the good times I’ve seen with my beloved Burnley over the years because I know it could of easily ended up the complete opposite of that. All the best to Southend United, I hope they manage to get sorted and bounce back stronger next season 🤞🏼

[@terrywoodman7762]

Superbly made sir! Very very well made. Hurts me too mate. And us all. Let's hope for better times. #utb

[@jameshunt8373]

Hello, Tel 😎

[@stewartburdett4324]

This boughtbtears to my eyes,says it all about the towns people love and feelings about what has happened to our club. I played in the colts team back in 61/62 for Southend ,in their first ever international youth tournament. Southend have been in my blood and always will be, Thanks Kerry for this documentary, i only hope the new documentary being made at this time can be as good and compelling as this one is.

[@davidmuoka3328]

Wow I honestly feel like crying after seeing this I'm touched and moved full respect to the old man...thanks for the documentary love from an arsenal fan...I wish Southend nothing but the very best

[@lorenzotranquilli3626]

Man, no joke, I barely knew before this video there was a club called Southend United, and I almost got tears in my eyes. That was poignant

[@djrudog1158]

This guy is obsessed by the football league.. if your not good enough you go down....it's not the end of the world...

[@generichuman2044]

@@djrudog1158 oh look, it's another one of those obvious troll comments that end with... Getting boring now. It's not even funny or original

[@djrudog1158]

@@generichuman2044 no...if your team is not good enough they go down....they get replaced by a team on merit...then the team that has gone down has to prove its self at the level that they are at....

[@fozlesgitit1568]

@@djrudog1158 lmao do u think what you’re saying is profound u weirdo “...”

[@djrudog1158]

@@fozlesgitit1568 not weird....it's fact....are you ok you seem disturbed 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@dw.official9762]

No matter what you do I am southend til I die

[@JN-cq4lb]

Southend are scum

[@dw.official9762]

@@JN-cq4lb who do you support then mate

[@pedrolucena4436]

This is a masterpeace. I thought about my own club struggles and it's impossible to not empathize with this letter. I've got so emotional. From the bottom of my heart, I with Southend United and especially it's supporters only the best in this world.

[@Keeplifesimple9]

That night they beat Manchester United in 2006 was very special, easily one of their top moments as a football club.

[@snightingill3264]

Sad seeing this i look forward to our rivalry, My club Orient have suffered the same fate its not nice and the national league is so hard to get out of. Your not down yet but your need a miracle and hope you get new owners soon.

[@diogobarrote6960]

I really saw myself in this documentary. I'm from Portugal, supporter of Os Belenenses. In 2012, our club was sold to an investor that never care about us, it was a hard fight but in 2018 we got our team back... With a problem, it splitted into two, the investor side remain in the Primeira Liga, while our true and beloved Belenenses needed to restart from the lowest division - sixth league. Three years later, we got three promotions so half way is done. Never give up fighting for your team! Cheers, what an emotional documentary!

[@graemeyetts3465]

Kerry, thank you for an excellent piece which sums up my feelings perfectly. I've been going since 1968 and it's been painful to watch our club slowly die like this. Supporting the club has been one of the few constants in my life and the low we have fallen to is just awful to see. There is but one Man to blame here and we seem stuck with him for now at least. UTB

[@lutontown5923]

Never give up - do EVERYTHING to save your club.

[@lionsroar9782]

Bit hard with covid. Ron Martin has had an easy ride only since this video has he come out of the woodwork

[@tomlee812]

A very well put together broadcast which eloquently sums up how so many of us feel. I first went to Roots Hall as an 11 year old in 1966 after the World Cup fired my imagination. I have seen so many highs and lows but there was always hope. My son and now my grandson come to watch when allowed, even though we are now living in Sussex. I fear the National League will be our home next year, which is so sad after our long history in the Football League. Let's hope we can still do it, but, like you, I'd rather have a team to watch at Roots Hall, faults and all, than a shiny new stadium out of the Football League.... Thank you for this thoughtful and heartfelt upload.

[@CessBee123]

My dad used to see Southend regularly as a kid, and I grew up close to Southend. Even though I'm a Portsmouth fan, it hurts to see where Southend are now.

[@luxford60]

A powerful piece. I support Leyton Orient, and you'll remember how close that club came to being wound up when crashing out of the League after 112 years. While Southend are unlikely to avoid relegation this season, I hope to see them back in the EFL before too many seasons have passed.

[@piercelangevin7983]

👏🏻 WELL DONE to the producers behind this Channel 👌🏻 always top quality documentaries

[@StraightOuttaBangkok]

Utterly heart-breaking what is happening to my hometown club right now. Kerry used to ref in my local Sunday league, a fine ref he was too.

[@tangerinemisfit]

As a Blackpool fan I share your pain. All very familiar. Hopefully you can get happy ending like we did. Keep fighting. Fan power is a wonderful thing 🧡

[@alexhoward7040]

Great video highlighting your issues. Being a Bury fan i know about poorly run clubs. I so hope Southend stay up and have a prosperus future. You are a proper historic family club.

[@jatj1987]

Like Kerry I am from southend born and bred and support this club. The owner is a crook, a cheat, we deserve better but he has ruined this club so badly no one will buy us, and even if someone was interested he will not sell as proven before, I used to have a season ticket, now I doubt I will ever go to a game again while Ron Martin is in charge, it hurts too much to watch this club suffer under him

[@joostwelp9848]

These videos are getting better and better every minute

[@aaronbennett709]

What a beautiful documentary, look forward to visiting roots hall next week with Wrexham !

[@Southender83]

Wow. Powerful stuff for those of us that love this Club and this Town.

[@CME1994]

Aberdeen fan here, but always had a soft spot for Southend since I was a young teen from playing with them on fifa with Barry Corr as the striker!! Always do a managerial career with them. Hope the fans manage to get the situation sorted 👌🏼

[@mikefennell9131]

Superb. "It's the hope that kills." Something anyone associated with the lower reaches of the football league will understand. I've had sixty years of it but the hope - and the pain - live on

[@cliffcrancher4474]

I’d say “it’s the hope that kills” actually applies to fans of clubs in all divisions because your hopes and aspirations are different depending on what your club has achieved previously. Most football supporters use their clubs best years as a yardstick as to where they “should be”, but in reality they were probably the clubs glory years, for example early 90s for Southend being top of the championship. Just yesterday I met a bloke at a business meeting who was wearing an Arsenal badge. Naturally we started talking football and he described these as Arsenals lean years. Even though they are the FA Cup holders and won that trophy 4 out of the last 7 seasons! That’s lean years? You poor thing!!

[@jacklemmon9664]

From one of my hometowns, I love this!

[@alanwest7773]

A very honest and passionate video from a proper football supporter.

[@nugienugraha3309]

How are these types of videos not reaching 6 digit views?? This is some quality content!

[@observerjeff5817]

Because most football fans are Man United fans from Wiltshire unaware of the existence of football beneath the Premiership or before 1992.

[@andrewleeder2632]

Very well put together, and well played Kerry