WHATEVER happens at Solihull Moors this weekend it is unlikely to match the drama that unfolded during last season’s fixture.

Frustrated Southend United supporters vented their fury towards club chairman Ron Martin during an eventful 2-0 defeat.

But Martin bizarrely opted to head into the away end to speak with furious fans.

And many - including passionate supporter Dan McEvoy - can still not believe quite what happened.

“For me, I think it was the lowest day in our club’s history,” said McEvoy.

“Performances were going from bad to worse on the pitch, players were completely uninspired, and to add to the suffering, our chairman embarrassed himself and every single person associated with the club, by storming into the away end in a baffling moment of complete and utter madness, to confront upset fans.

“I will never forget our first trip there, for all the wrong reasons.”

Phone recordings of Martin heading into the terrace behind the goal went viral online and he later explained he was attempting to show he was with the supporters during a time of struggle.

But Echosport’s Chris Phillips - who has been watching Blues since 1989 - could also not believe his eyes.

“I just remember typing away when my friend alongside me casually said ‘Ron’s in the away end,” said Phillips.

“It was one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen and the bar for that is set quite high when you follow Southend.

“But it made me quite sad if I’m honest.

“I remember just sitting there with all this going on just wondering how it had got so bad.

“The club was just imploding in front of us and there were also some fans who sat behind the bench to shout at the manager Phil Brown and his assistant Craig Fagan.

“To add to the weirdness, the fan shouting was getting Craig Fagan’s name wrong and the whole day was heartbreaking.

“I felt numb watching all of this unfold and what was happening on the pitch wasn’t really the main focus for once.

“It remains one of the weirdest days I’ve ever experienced.”

The Shrimpers have restructured since that fateful afternoon with Kevin Maher in charge and chief executive Tom Lawrence becoming far more influential in his role.

And McEvoy feels improvements have been made.

“Mercifully, times have changed since then, and with Ron taking a backseat, and a new management structure taking the reins, we go into Saturday with a newly found belief,” he added.

“We may not be the finished product just yet, but hopefully we can go there on Saturday and re-write the tainted memories from last season.”#

READ MORE

>Blues boss on his search for a new striker