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Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Oldham Athletic, Sunday 1st June, 15:00 ko, National League play-off final @Wembley Stadium

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Starting XI and Result

  • Total voters
    161
Ritchierich said:
Sadly, there are a few too many clubs that can relate to that and we are one of them!

I think that’s what makes Sunday so special;
2 great clubs with fantastic, loyal support who have been the victim of bad owners but are now on the way back.
We both lose fans to our bigger neighbours or in your case the lure of the London clubs but as we have shown, the potential support is still significant.

Whatever happens on Sunday (and I think it is too close to call) I wish Southend all the best for next season whichever decisions we each end up in.

Have a brilliant day everyone 😎
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Well said! Enjoy the day
 
After the working week and being very busy it’s time to relax and think of what might be on Sunday. A huge turn out from our fans and so much good feeling after the wins at Rochdale and FGR. On the way home from FGR it was a mix of emotion and pure joy. But a realisation that this could really be our year. We’ve battled so hard since Christmas and our form confirms that we have every right to be at Wembley on Sunday and equally every chance to win it. Oldham are a very useful side and wins over a poor Halifax but a very good York side would have them thinking it’s their time. But I can’t help thinking that our wins at Rochdale and FGR, the way we battled, the way we came back from the dead in both games can only be a positive a pull the side together even more than we thought. After what the club, fans, management and most importantly the players have been through this past few months will never be forgotten. Most of this group stuck by Kev, by the fans and by the club. Sunday is the result of that and no set of players in any league in the country will deserve to win promotion than this group. It won’t be easy but maybe just maybe this is the final light at the end of a very long tunnel.
 
After 38 years of supporting this club I honestly believe Sunday’s play-off final at Wembley will be the biggest most important game I’ve ever been to. In the past 38 years I’ve been at most of the promotion games, the LDV/JPT finals and the games where we have been relegated. I’ve been at the Man Utd game, both Chelsea games and Tottenham .
I’ve been a season ticket holder with my dad for the past 20 years, and for us, Southend has always been more than a football club—it’s been our bond, and our tradition . Now for the first time ever, there’ll be three generations of our family together at a Southend game. To share this moment with my dad and my children on the biggest stage of all, feels like a once-in-a-lifetime gift. For that, regardless of the result I will be eternally grateful.

What makes this team so special is how much heart they have. In all my years, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Southend squad that’s as relatable, hard-working, and driven as this one. They play for the badge. They fight for each other. They never know when they’re beaten. And it’s that resilience that’s brought us back from the brink—not just of failure, but of extinction. Because we must never forget how close we came. We nearly lost this club. We were staring down the barrel—financial ruin, relegations, mismanagement, uncertainty at every turn. The fact that we’re going to Wembley now isn’t just a football story. It’s a story of survival. A story of loyalty. A story of belief.
No one embodies that more than King Kev. A club legend as a player, and now—through sheer resilience, love, and loyalty to Southend—a true legend as a manager. He took on this job when it looked like a poisoned chalice, held things together during the darkest days, and never once stopped fighting for the badge. He gets this club. He is this club. On Sunday, whatever happens, he deserves every ounce of credit and love coming his way.
Then there’s Nathan Ralph—our captain, our leader, Mr. Dependable. The only player left from the dark days of our relegation into non-league. Through it all, he’s stayed. He has played non contract, He’s battled. He’s led with quiet strength and almost unparalleled consistency. If anyone deserves to lift that trophy at Wembley, it’s Ralph. For everything he’s endured, and everything he’s given back to this club, I hope we all get to see that moment. It would mean the world.
This isn’t just a final. It’s the culmination of everything we’ve been through as fans, as a club, and as a family.
 
OldWilliam said:
After 38 years of supporting this club I honestly believe Sunday’s play-off final at Wembley will be the biggest most important game I’ve ever been to. In the past 38 years I’ve been at most of the promotion games, the LDV/JPT finals and the games where we have been relegated. I’ve been at the Man Utd game, both Chelsea games and Tottenham .
I’ve been a season ticket holder with my dad for the past 20 years, and for us, Southend has always been more than a football club—it’s been our bond, and our tradition . Now for the first time ever, there’ll be three generations of our family together at a Southend game. To share this moment with my dad and my children on the biggest stage of all, feels like a once-in-a-lifetime gift. For that, regardless of the result I will be eternally grateful.

What makes this team so special is how much heart they have. In all my years, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Southend squad that’s as relatable, hard-working, and driven as this one. They play for the badge. They fight for each other. They never know when they’re beaten. And it’s that resilience that’s brought us back from the brink—not just of failure, but of extinction. Because we must never forget how close we came. We nearly lost this club. We were staring down the barrel—financial ruin, relegations, mismanagement, uncertainty at every turn. The fact that we’re going to Wembley now isn’t just a football story. It’s a story of survival. A story of loyalty. A story of belief.
No one embodies that more than King Kev. A club legend as a player, and now—through sheer resilience, love, and loyalty to Southend—a true legend as a manager. He took on this job when it looked like a poisoned chalice, held things together during the darkest days, and never once stopped fighting for the badge. He gets this club. He is this club. On Sunday, whatever happens, he deserves every ounce of credit and love coming his way.
Then there’s Nathan Ralph—our captain, our leader, Mr. Dependable. The only player left from the dark days of our relegation into non-league. Through it all, he’s stayed. He has played non contract, He’s battled. He’s led with quiet strength and almost unparalleled consistency. If anyone deserves to lift that trophy at Wembley, it’s Ralph. For everything he’s endured, and everything he’s given back to this club, I hope we all get to see that moment. It would mean the world.
This isn’t just a final. It’s the culmination of everything we’ve been through as fans, as a club, and as a family.
Click to expand...
hear hear. don't forget Jack Bridge as well. Had chances to move on, get paid more, get more job security, but chose to stay with his home town club out of love. Brilliant stories
 
It's funny how it all turns out, 10 games ago most on here including me wanted Maher to move on, talking about the players side ways passing it with no attacking threat.
Maher not making changes to either subs or the right tactical changes, how fickle we all are really,
All of a sudden we are one, players are fighting for each other and us fans and Maher is God 😆 🤣 😂
 
Napster said:
Just calculated and I’ve been supporting for 43 years. Blimey.
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I still have the programme (photos of it on another thread) from the first Southend match that I went to: home to Swansea in September 1967, so coming up to 58 years ago. I've been through so many highs and lows as a Southend supporter since that first match. Just hoping that Sunday will be a new high.
 
Last edited:
overseas shrimper said:
Anyone able to put the story on here please?
Click to expand...
AN update from COSU ahead of Southend United's play-off final against Oldham Athletic at Wembley.


What a difference a year makes.

This time last year, the future of Southend United was deeply uncertain.

The club was fighting for its very existence, unsure if it would even start the season.

Now, just 12 months later, we find ourselves one win away from returning to the English Football League.

It hasn’t been a straightforward journey.

We were 15th at Christmas and few would have predicted then that we’d be walking out at Wembley for the play-off final.

That turnaround is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the skill, resilience and unity shown by Kevin, Darren, Mark, their outstanding staff, and this exceptional group of players.

They’ve represented the club with pride and passion, given us memories to last a lifetime, and inspired us all – particularly during this extraordinary play-off run.

Of course, we hope for the right result on Sunday.

But whatever the outcome, we are immensely proud of our team and grateful for the unforgettable moments they’ve already given us this season.

They’ve brought hope, joy and belief back to Southend United.

Our thanks must also go to the incredible staff who work so hard behind the scenes.

From operational and ticketing teams to commercial, media and matchday staff, they are the unsung heroes of our club.

This play-off run has brought logistical challenges with mid-week away games and the travel restrictions for the final.

They responded with pop-up events at Roots Hall and coordinated nearly 100 coaches for the final, helping as many Shrimpers as possible share in this remarkable journey together.

We’re also incredibly grateful to our commercial partners who continue to support the club on and off the pitch.

Special thanks go to c2c, Southend Airport and Basildon Leisure Centre for helping with Wembley travel arrangements, and to Solopress for supporting the tifo display and Boxpark branding.

But to all of our sponsors and partners, thank you for coming on this journey with us.

Your backing is a crucial part of the club’s progress and spirit.

Finally, to our fans.

This is your club, and Sunday is for you.

We’re sorry that not everyone who wanted to attend has been able to, and we share your frustration around the limitations in ticket availability.

Whether you’re part of the 30,000 strong Southend contingent at Wembley or cheering from home, we hope you enjoy every second.

This club belongs to all of us and this weekend is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come, and what we can achieve together in the future.

Up the Shrimpers.
 
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