SOUTHEND United’s chief executive Steve Kavanagh has urged the Shrimpers’ supporters not to boycott tonight’s controversial Checkatrade Trophy clash with Brighton & Hove Albion’s under 23 side.

Echosport understands around 500 tickets have so far been sold for this evening’s encounter at Roots Hall.

But Kavanagh is keen for more fans to watch the tie and insists allowing Premier League and Championship clubs to enter their young teams will not result in them having B teams in the Football League.

“People seem to think if they come and watch the competition and it’s a success then it will lead to B teams coming in but this club will never vote for that,” said Kavangah.

“There’s the same feeling among all clubs around the country too and I can’t see it ever happening.

“I understand fans’ views but it’s a first team competition and we need the support.

“Anton Ferdinand will hopefully make his debut and these cups are important revenue for the club and our future.

“The competition also needs support because without it it’s dead and one route to getting to Wembley has gone, which would be a real shame,” he added.

Lower league clubs voted in favour of allowing Premier League teams to enter their under-21 sides into the completion.

But, since that agreement in the summer, a number of top clubs have turned down the invitation and Championship sides have stepped in to fill the void.

That has resulted in Blues facing Brighton rather than Chelsea or Arsenal. And Kavanagh remains extremely frustrated by how things have been allowed to change.

“Rather than letting this competition die we went for an alternative plan to give the competition an injection but since then Premier League teams have dropped out and I’m very disappointed with what’s happened since we voted,” said Kavanagh.

“Things have changed and if we voted tomorrow on what we know now it would be a much different vote.”

However, Kavanagh also feels Premier League clubs have now shown they also have no interest in putting their B teams into the Football League.

“I think this has probably shown what Premier League clubs think about B teams competing in the league,” said Kavanagh.

“It may show them up and cause them problems in their funding.

“But to make our own position completely clear we had a board meeting and it was unanimous around the table that at no point would this club ever support B teams being in the league.”

Tonight’s game is the first of three in the group stages for the Shrimpers and will be decided by a penalty shoot-out if the scores are level at the end of 90 minutes.