Southend United may be struggling to remain in the Football League at the moment, but the future could be bright.

After suffering 14 years of setbacks, Blues’ dream of moving into a new stadium at Fossetts Farm looks set to become a reality in the not-too-distant future having been given the go-ahead at the back-end of last year.

It would bring the Shrimpers’ stay at Roots Hall to an end having staged home fixtures at the stadium since 1955.

We have delved into the archive to rediscover forgotten photographs of other occasions when Blues came close to leaving their spiritual home.

Impressive project - Southend MP Sir Teddy Taylor sits alongside then-Blues chairman Vic Jobson at a press conference outlining plans for a new Southend United stadium in 1988

Impressive project - Southend MP Sir Teddy Taylor sits alongside then-Blues chairman Vic Jobson at a press conference outlining plans for a new Southend United stadium in 1988

There have been press conferences and protests along the way, while we have also found an artist’s impression of a new stadium proposal from more than 30 years ago.

Scroll down to see more of our photographs through the years.

Grand plans - an artists impression, from 1988, of a proposed new stadium for the Shrimpers

Grand plans - an artist's impression, from 1988, of a proposed new stadium for the Shrimpers

Sound advice - Englands World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore was Southend Uniteds manager when plans were put forward to leave Roots Hall

Sound advice - England's World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore was Southend United's manager when plans were put forward to leave Roots Hall

On the terraces - music promoter Max Seigel and his son John Paul at Roots Hall in 1978

On the terraces - music promoter Max Seigel and his son John Paul at Roots Hall in 1978

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Former home - Blues hosted home fixtures Southend Stadium, which was also used for greyhound racing, between 1934 and 1955

Former home - Blues hosted home fixtures Southend Stadium, which was also used for greyhound racing, between 1934 and 1955

Possible future - what Southend Uniteds new surroundings could look like if they move to Fossetts Farm

Possible future - what Southend United's new surroundings could look like if they move to Fossetts Farm

Famous face - singer Alison Moyet watches her beloved Southend United from the Roots Hall stands in 1993

Famous face - singer Alison Moyet watches her beloved Southend United from the Roots Hall stands in 1993

Residents - there are plans to also build 850 new homes at the Fossetts Farm site

Residents - there are plans to also build 850 new homes at the Fossetts Farm site

In charge - Shrimpers chairman Ron Martin outside Roots Hall in 2008

In charge - Shrimpers chairman Ron Martin outside Roots Hall in 2008