SOUTHEND United will be bidding to give their play-off chasing rivals food for thought during the run in to the League One campaign.

The Shrimpers are currently sixth in the table and are leaving no stone unturned in their bid for a second promotion in the space of three seasons.

As a result, Blues have teamed up with the Westcliff based Fresco Box to provide their after-match meals.

And owner Abdul Bangura is delighted to be fuelling Southend’s push for a place in the Championship.

“Nutrition plays a really important part in all sports now and it’s amazing for us to be working with Southend United,” said Bangura.

“Food is fuel and if you’re putting the wrong things in your body you won’t be able to perform to the best of your ability because you will tire out far quicker.

“Before we got involved we were told the team were eating pizzas or whatever they could get their hands on after finishing their matches.

“But now we provide them with their after-match meals and give them exactly what you need after that kind of workload.

“We can give them whatever they asked for and cater for any requirements they have so it works well. We take in 30 meals after every home game for the players and staff.

“We’ve also done a few of their away games, normally if they’re going by train and I’m really proud and pleased to be involved.

“I’m born and bred in Southend so I know it’s a local club everyone looks up to.

“It’s the best team in Southend so it’s good for us to be associated with the best as well.”

Bangura - who launched Fresco Box just nine months ago - has been providing Blues’ meals since the start of the season and recently won new company of the year at the Essex Business Awards.

He now makes more than 1,000 meals a week at his Hamlet Court Road base and linked up with the Shrimpers via a mutual friend of midfielder Michael Timlin.

And Timlin is happy to see the club linking up with Fresco Box.

“It really helps with our nutrition for games which we definitely see as being important,” said Timlin.

“They provide us with good tasting products and it’s been great to have them on board this season.”