SOUTHEND United’s previous trips to Morecambe have certainly not been short of drama.
Two days before their first ever trip to the Globe Arena back in March 2011, winger Ryan Hall was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment after pleading guilty to affray.
But Hall was granted bail pending an appeal against the severity of the sentence and was driven from Chelmsford Prison the day before the game to start against Morecambe.
However, he was unable to stop the Shrimpers suffering a 2-1 defeat.
The following season, came another bizarre incident at Morecambe as it emerged Hall, Liam Dickinson and Kane Ferdinand had broken the club’s code of conduct in the team hotel the night before the game.
They were all immediately suspended by boss Paul Sturrock and there was also a heated dressing room bust up after the 1-0 defeat which resulted in Bilel Mohsni heading home to France and missing Blues’ next five matches.
Since then, the matches have not been quite so dramatic.
The Shrimpers were beaten by an 88th minute goal from Jack Redshaw before the hosts had substitute Richard Brodie sent off in October 2012.
But the following November came Southend’s only ever success at the Globe Arena as they triumphed 3-0 in the first round of the FA Cup.
Anthony Straker scored twice inside the opening nine minutes before Ryan Leonard netted late on to complete the victory.
Leonard then also headed Blues in front when they returned for the League Two fixture in March 2014 but the Shrimps hit back to record a 2-1 win.
Morecambe have also avoided in their five visits to Roots Hall.
But Phil Brown’s side will be desperate to beat them this weekend.
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