SOUTHEND United supporter Dean Raven has been left with a cheeky reminder of the Shrimpers’ astonishing play-off success at Wembley.

The Shoebury based 22-year-old agreed a bet with his friends earlier on in the season that if Phil Brown’s side won promotion he would get the name of the crucial goalscorer tattooed on his bottom.

And Raven stuck to his word by having Cian Bolger inked onto his right buttock after the Irishman fired home the Shrimpers’ winning penalty in the play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers.

“Everyone has been laughing their heads off at me and they all think it’s really funny but after making the bet I had no choice but to go through with it,” said Raven.

“I was in the pub with my mates a few months ago now and at the time Southend were about 13 points below the top three so I said I didn’t think we were going to get promotion.

“A few pints later one of my mates suggested this bet and that if Southend won promotion I would have to get the name of the winning goalscorer on my bum.

“Once it actually happened, I tried to persuade them to let me have Daniel Bentley done or Adam Barrett because they’re my favourite players but they said it had to be Cian Bolger because he got the crucial penalty.

Echo:

Dean Raven (front row, far right) with his friends at Wembley

“I know I’m never going to hear the end of it now but it would’ve been the same if I hadn’t gone through with it as well.”

Raven got the tattoo done on Sunday afternoon along Southend sea-front after watching the Shrimpers parading the League Two play-off winning trophy.

But, from now on, he will not be making any more bets with his friends.

“I think I’ll leave the bets to someone else next season,” laughed Raven.

“I guess I’ll always have that extra special reminder of Wembley now but I’m just hoping Cian doesn’t go and join Colchester now!”