FRIDAY'S edition of the Echo is jam packed full of Southend United stories ahead of their play-off semi-final clash at Crewe Alexandra.

Blues boss Paul Sturrock pens his regular weekly column for the paper, while player coach Graham Coughlan, captain Chris Barker, plus Anthony Grant, Sean Clohessy, Peter Gilbert and Michael Timlin also speak about the game at the Gresty Road.

As well as that popular former Southend goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan has words of praise for Blues' current shot stopper Cameron Belford and there is an in depth look at Crewe.

That includes an interview with the Railwaymen's defender Jordan Brown who is hoping to beat Blues despite having watched them during his youth.

Alongside the stories, there is also a competition to be one of Southend's mascots for the second leg against Crewe next Wednesday.