THERE is no place like home for lifelong Southend United supporter David Shields.

The full-time football stadium photographer has snapped more than 120 grounds in his career.

But Roots Hall remains by far his favourite and has led to Shields working alongside designer Stuart Byford to publish a book packed full of his favourite images of Blues’ home alongside quotes from those who also hold the club close to their heart.

“An obvious question I get asked is what my favourite stadium is and every time I say Roots Hall,” said Shields.

“If someone hasn’t been there then there’s normally an eyebrow raised.

“I can’t explain it but I just feel different walking in there than I do any other stadium.

“It’s my team and it’s iconic.

“The one thing I say to people is where else in the world do you walk through a turnstile, go through a glass tunnel and have a pint in a mock tudor pub before going to sit on some seats that were once in Old Trafford.

“Go to a modern stadium and you’re standing on a practical, soleless concrete concourse.

“But our stadium is unique.”

Shields, who has been watching the Shrimpers at Roots Hall since 1979, first started photographing grounds in 2005.

And that eventually evolved into publishing the book titled ‘Roots Hall: Our Stadium, Our Home.’ “In the last five years I’ve had a splattering of people say I should bring a book out,” said Shields.

“It’s been on the backburner for a while but Stuart pestered me a bit more and it’s been about a year in the making.

“I must have taken thousands of photographs and it was about time to put some together.”

Blues boss Kevin Maher is among those to feature in the book alongside fellow club legends Steve Tilson, Adam Barrett and Barry Corr - plus Justin Rees who heads up the consortium set to take control of the National League side.

And Shields has loved putting it all together.

“It’s been really enjoyable,” said Shields.

“The highlight of the book are the quotes from supporters, managers, players and knowing it’s not just me who feels this way.

“Someone said every player who signs for Southend United should read this book and that just blew me away.”

But Shields is not surprised why Roots Hall is held in such high esteem.

“For me with my non-Southend hat on, I like stadiums that are part of the community,” said Shields.

“We’re not getting on a bus to a ring road.

“The club and the stadium are the heart and sole of the community and I’m delighted we’re staying.

“We just need to make sure we keep the floodlights.”

And Byford echoed those sentiments, adding: “I’ve been going to Roots Hall for more than 30 years and it’s been great to read all the quotes we’ve had coming in.

“I was sold on the dream of a new stadium to begin with, but as time went on and plans changed it seemed like any other new build.

“Roots Hall is special and the book shows just how much it means to people.”

More details on the book can be found here.