SOUTHEND United fans, players and coaching staff are still licking their wounds, days after the team was relegated from the Championship.

Saturday's home defeat against Luton saw the Blues drop a league, leaving the team's dreams of staying in football's second tier in disarray.

Captain Kevin Maher said: "We're all so bitterly disappointed. We've been fighting against it for most of the season but we really did feel like we could get out of the relegation zone."

Team manager Steve Tilson, who players and fans continue to support as the man at the helm, was equally disappointed.

He said: "Having worked so hard and done so well to get up, we really wanted to stay in that division, but it wasn't to be. We still have a game left at Southampton, but in the background we are thinking about one or two things and looking ahead to next season."

Fans were philosophical about cheering for their team in League One next year.

Rob Craven, board member of supporters' group the Shrimpers Trust, said: "It's a shame, but most of the fans had been resigned to it for the last month.

"We had some really good times this year, such as beating Manchester United. Hopefully we will be back."

Ken Jarvis, a fan from Southend who works in the Spread Eagle pub near Roots Hall, said: "I was half expecting to lose, based on the previous few games.

"We were hoping to stay up, but the last year has had its ups and downs. We have been playing some good teams and played in new grounds.

"It was very good to beat Manchester United, but then we hit a losing streak."