WHO ARE THE SHOTS PLAYING?
Southend United, also known as The Shrimpers, Seasiders or Blues, Founded 1906.
HOW DID THEY DO LAST SEASON?
The Shrimpers were relegated from the Football League for the first time in their history.
HOW DID SHOTS GET ON AGAINST THEM LAST SEASON?
N/A, as Southend were in the EFL. The two sides met earlier this season at Roots Hall. Southend took a first half lead through Rhys Murphy, but the Shots turned the match around with goals from Mo Bettamer, Jacob Berkeley-Agyapong & an own goal, before Southend grabbed a late consolation in the dying moments.
WHO’S THEIR GAFFER?:
Kevin Maher, Darren Currie and Mark Bentley were announced as the Shrimpers new management team in October 2021. Maher (a former Southend player and u-21/u23 Manager) is Head Coach. Currie, most recently seen in the National League at Barnet, is his Assistant Manager. Former Shot’ Mark Bentley completes the management trio and is First Team Coach at Roots Hall.
SHRIMPERS PLAYING SQUAD:
Thirteen players dropped down to the National League with the Shrimpers, including former Shot Nathan Ralph, Centre Back Shaun Hobson and Defender Rob Howard, who played against The Shots during his loan spell at Kings Lynn in the National League last season. Former boss Phil Brown made some eye-catching signings in pre-season, with 12 players incoming, or awarded first pro contracts at Roots Hall. They include prolific striker Rhys Murphy (from Yeovil Town) and fellow forward Sam Dalby, who have scored 66% of Southend’s National League goals to date. Goalkeeper Steve Arnold, who Shots fans may remember from the title winning Lincoln City side also joined the Shrimpers, as did Defender Josh Coulson (Leyton Orient), Winger Jack Bridge (Bromley) and former Barnet Captain James Dunne.
In his early days in charge, Maher was prevented from bringing in players due to a transfer embargo, which has since been lifted. Ollie Kensdale, a defender from Concord Rangers, was his first signing. Since then, Midfielder Harrison Neal has joined – on loan from Sheffield United – until the end of the season, Full Back Leon Davies has signed a short term contract after leaving League One Cambridge United. Most recently Southend have signed forward Harry Cardwell (Chorley) and Afgan Midfielder Noor Husin (Dartford) on 2.5 year contracts as they look to bolster their playing squad and push up the league table.
ANY EX-SHOTS?
Left Back Nathan Ralph played 12 times for Aldershot Town, on loan from Newport County, back in 2016.
WHO’S GOT THE WHISTLE?
Tuesday evening’s referee is Aji Ajibola and it will be the first National League match he has taken charge of this season, having mostly taken the middle in the National League South.
HOW TO GET TICKETS:
Kick-off begins at 7:45pm for Mark Molesley’s team as we would like to remind both home and away supporters of our ticketing/match-day protocols HERE.
Our Ticket Office will be opening on the day of the game from 9:30am for home supporters who would like to purchase on the day of the game, (we advise fans planning on buying tickets on the day to arrive earlier). We further encourage supporters to pre-book their tickets via our upgraded Flowte ticket website HERE to avoid queues on the day.
With our Flowte ticket website, supporters can pick their exact seats and have their tickets emailed to them which can be scanned off a smart phone or printed off before the day of the game.
We will NOT be accepting payment at the turnstiles but for supporters who decide to attend closer to the game, they will be able to purchase their tickets via the Club Shop/Ticket Office in person through cash, card or contactless payment and use the scanners on the turnstiles to enter through to the ground once they’ve collected their ticket. Turnstiles will open at 6:30pm.
We would also like to take the time to remind supporters of our new pricing structure going forward.
With updated Concession categories and in replacement of our Under 11s Go Free scheme, we have now introduced a new Family Ticket as shown in the full pricing list below:
- Adult – £20
- Concession (Disabled + Carer, Senior (over 65) – £16
- Junior (17 & under) – £7
- Family Ticket (2 Adults, up to 3 Juniors) – £45
- Family Ticket (2 Concession, up to 3 Juniors) – £40
Away Supporters
• Tickets for away fans will not be available in the ticket office or on the turnstiles on the day of the game, they must be purchased online.
• All Southend United Supporters will enter the ground via Redan Hill to the Away stands through turnstiles 11 & 12. This game is segregated.
• Disabled/Carers should be booked in advance via our ticket office, but if they arrive on the day those people need to purchase their ticket from the ticket office. We have limited wheelchair spaces, so we advise supporters are advised to reserve them prior to the game.
• Any planned Supporter Coach travel needs to be advised to Aldershot Town in advance so that coach parking can be organised and planned.
• For this fixture, away supporters will be seated in the Away Seating in the South Stand and the Covered Terrace.
• There will be catering units available on the day of the game.
• We would also like to welcome away supporters into our hospitality lounges too. Please click HERE for more information or contact Commercial Manager Mark Butler at mark.butler@theshots.co.uk.
If you can not make it to the game on Saturday, make sure to follow @OfficialShots on Twitter for updates.
WHERE TO FOLLOW THE MATCH:
There will be ‘Live’ BBC Radio Surrey Sport Online commentary of the match with Rob Worrall and Guest Summariser, the former Bromley Manager, Neil ‘Smudger’ Smith. There will also be Social Media coverage on Instagram & Twitter (@OfficialShots) with team news, updates and post-match coverage throughout the evening.
