A HISTORIC pub where Southend United was founded more than a hundred years ago is set to go under the hammer. 

The current managers of the Blue Boar Public House, in Victoria Avenue, will continue and believe the sale is an opportunity for the pub to improve further. 

The guide price is at around £200,000.

It is a site that is etched into Southend’s history with it being the birthplace of the city’s football club in 1906.

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Former landlord, Oliver Trigg, invited a group of footballers and businessmen to the pub to discuss the idea of setting up a new club.

A month later, the group gathered at the venue again to formally create Southend United.

Alan and Michelle Gargate have been managing the site successfully since October 2017, and recently signed a new five-year lease agreement.

They will still remain as tenants and run the site once it has been sold.  

Mrs Gargate said: “We took over The Blue Boar five years ago and have built a great reputation for selling a decent pint at a reasonable price since.

“We are a hub within the community where people can get together with friends. We have a great crowd of people who love to socialise with us. We are planning to continue in the same way we are now.

“We would have loved to buy the pub ourselves but unfortunately, we just don’t have the means to do so.

“However, we will be staying on as tenants, so nothing will change from our customers’ point of view.

“It is a great investment for anyone with the funds as the rent we pay gives a nice return.

“Our current landlords have been great in supporting us on the rare occasion we have needed it, but for the vast majority of the time we just get on with it with no issues.

“Despite new landlords, we still are aiming to keep this historic and iconic pub running for the community for many years to come.”

More than 100-years since the Blues were formed, the Blue Boar remains a pub that is popular amongst the community.

It will be going to Allsop’s Commercial Auction on May 17, in a bid to find new owners.