SOUTHEND United fans prepared for the start of the new season and the beginning of a new era by teaming up to make sure Roots Hall was gleaming ahead of kick off. 

The Shrimpers face York City tomorrow in their first fixture of the season and dozens of Blues fans picked up their buckets and mops today to ensure the ground looked tip top. 

This included cleaning thousands of seats and wiping all the advertisement boards.

Community - Southend fans clean up Roots HallCommunity - Southend fans clean up Roots Hall (Image: Matt Brian)

 

A fan clean-up took place last year, but in very different circumstances as fans rallied together to ensure the club secured a new safety certificate in time for the new season. 

However, this year’s clean up was filled with positivity as the club prepare to kick off the season under new owners after the consortium, led by Justin Rees, completed the takeover from Ron Martin. 

 

In action - Supporters cleaning thousands of seatsIn action - Supporters cleaning thousands of seats (Image: Southend United)

 

Matt Brian, who has been going to Roots Hall for three decades, and is also a Main Stand sponsor, helped out with the clean up.

He said: “It was great to see so many people, both young and old, give up their mornings and afternoons to help get Roots Hall ready.
 

 

Wow - The new scoreboard at Roots HallWow - The new scoreboard at Roots Hall (Image: Matt Brian)

 

“It only took a few hours for the majority of the stands to be given a proper uplift, allowing for more rigorous cleaning duties to be performed.

“I think I speak for thousands of others when I say I can’t wait for 3pm on Saturday.

“The community has waiting a long time for this moment, I hope it will be one of many successful afternoons at Roots Hall.”

 

Excitement - Fans preparing to make the stadium readyExcitement - Fans preparing to make the stadium ready (Image: Matt Brian)

 

Less than a month ago, the consortium headed by Justin Rees completed their takeover of Southend United.

This followed a year’s worth of discussions by the consortium to become the new owners of the National League club.

 

Proud - Young and old fans getting stuck in Proud - Young and old fans getting stuck in (Image: Southend United)

 

The consortium had already been funding the club since just before Christmas and have already invested around £4million.

Now, fans are turning their attention to a brighter future around the new owners and are hoping for many years of success to come.