SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has turned vegan to show his support for Forest Green Rovers.

Rovers, who are the world’s only vegan football club, must beat Barrow at the New Lawn Stadium tomorrow night to keep alive the Shrimpers’ slight survival hopes.

And Brown has changed his eating habits in a further bid to get behind Rovers.

“I’m going to the game and I missed my Sunday lunch after going vegan at the weekend to show my support for Forest Green,” said the Blues boss.

“I was going to take the whole team if I could do but I was struggling to just get the one ticket to tell you the truth due to Covid.

“I said to the players after the game on Saturday that if I had my own way I’d be taking the team bus and we’d all be going but it’s obviously not possible at the moment.”

Second from bottom Blues are five points behind Barrow with two games left to play, the first of which is against Barrow on Saturday.

But the Shrimpers could already be relegated by then if Barrow avoid defeat against Forest Green.

“It’s very serious and we’re talking about a season’s work which isn’t even in our hands,” said Brown.

“It’s serious business and I’m hoping I see the Forest Green I know because they’re a very good team.

“They’ve lost their manager who had been there five years but they’ve had a good year and they’re at the right end of the table.

“I hope they turn up and I’ve already seen Barrow who really did turn up when I watched them against Exeter.

“If they’re doing that I’ll be in for a very good game but I think it will be a very tight match.

“Nobody will be lying down, that’s for sure.”