Why is SUFC the best supported in the league?

[CrippsCorner]

Coming from a mild supporting history until the recent few years, I'm often not truly aware of the clubs past, apart from the defining moments of course. It's obvious in terms of support at least, we're the biggest in the NL - Why is this?

Because we've spent most of the time in the EFL (then again, don't we have more support than many clubs in League 2?)
Because of those defining moments (how many other clubs have beaten Man Utd in a cup game)
Because of certain big players (obviously Stan springs to mind)
Because of geographic reasons (for instance no Premier League clubs in Essex)
Because Roots Hall allows 10k ish fans! (have we got the biggest stadium in the league bar Oldham?)

Would love to hear an expansion on these reasons, and any others what actually makes Southend different?

 

[* ORM *]

The real answer is that we are in the ****test lowest league we have ever been in

Apart from the one we were in before joining the football league you mean. Cricko remembers it well

 

[CrippsCorner]

Thanks, you've given me a good insight!

I really hope my son gets to witness a 'big moment' from the team to really cement that memory ☺

The way I look at it it's sort of a bad time for him to get into Southend, due to being in the lowest league in our history etc. but at the same time, with the increased gate numbers, the atmosphere is usually great and certainly makes the day out more of an occasion. I remember him being speechless in awe that first time we crossed the road near the Blue Boar with hundreds of other supporters.

 

[Smiffy]

Thanks, you've given me a good insight!

I really hope my son gets to witness a 'big moment' from the team to really cement that memory ☺

The way I look at it it's sort of a bad time for him to get into Southend, due to being in the lowest league in our history etc. but at the same time, with the increased gate numbers, the atmosphere is usually great and certainly makes the day out more of an occasion. I remember him being speechless in awe that first time we crossed the road near the Blue Boar with hundreds of other supporters.

I'd say it's the perfect time to get your Son involved. Yes, the football isn't exactly free-flowing and get off your seat type stuff, but it's the level.

Things can only get better from here. Your Son will hopefully soon get to see what promotion back to the EFL means. The support and buzz will only grow from there.

 

[Rob1920]

When I first started going around 1974 we considered anything over 4500 a decent crowd. Often it was more like 3500. It stayed that way for a long time, probably until the 90’s and our rise up the league under Webby. Back in the 70’s & 80’s the notion of regular crowds over 6k was a fantasy.

 

[Whispering Bob]

......because we love the club you f*****g idiot !

 

[Dave Smiths Love Child]

The likes of Wrexham, Notts County and Chesterfield have all been promoted. That leaves us the biggest fish in a small pond. With a catchment area of 300,000 people it really is no mystery

That’s just playing with numbers not taking in other factors, if that’s the case 8.5 million live in London why are teams like Barnet, Orient, Charlton not have bigger crowds?
Stars stats and more damn lies

 

[Fairport]

That’s just playing with numbers not taking in other factors, if that’s the case 8.5 million live in London why are teams like Barnet, Orient, Charlton not have bigger crowds?
Stars stats and more damn lies

Probably because a large number of Londoners are in the ethnic minority category and do not always have a great interest in football and probably can't afford to pay the high admission charges. Most of the fans that attend London based games live elsewhere. Spammers for example say only 3% of ST holders live in the borough of Newham. Even when Orient fans came to Roots Hall probably no more than 1% actually live in Leyton It's hard to call these clubs community clubs despite what they say.

 

[Barry.C]

According to the last Census , Southends population grew less than the National Average. over the previous 10 years, up to 2021`. The Growth in England was 6.6% over the same period. Basildon however took off with a 7.5% growth but Southend on Sea just 4.4%

This is the tight population area of Southend on Sea recorded at 180,700. This includes Leigh, Chalkwell, Prittlewell, , Southchurch and Shoeburyness. If you add in Rochford, , South Benfleet, Thundersley , Brentwood and Wickford then another 175,000 join the fray. That puts us at 355,000 straightaway without the 107,000 in Basildon . So the relatively near local populace is pretty large, some bits growing faster than others

I only mention this because I love the fact that the complexly close Medway ( 5 towns ) has a population of around 285,000 and I rather enjoy the fact that over many years my Gillingham mates stand in awe of the Southend turn out and regularly mention it with disbelief and envy, ,which makes me very proud of my heritage and i think there is something in the blood

 

[Zeuss]

According to the last Census , Southends population grew less than the National Average. over the previous 10 years, up to 2021`. The Growth in England was 6.6% over the same period. Basildon however took off with a 7.5% growth but Southend on Sea just 4.4%

This is the tight population area of Southend on Sea recorded at 180,700. This includes Leigh, Chalkwell, Prittlewell, , Southchurch and Shoeburyness. If you add in Rochford, , South Benfleet, Thundersley , Brentwood and Wickford then another 175,000 join the fray. That puts us at 355,000 straightaway without the 107,000 in Basildon . So the relatively near local populace is pretty large, some bits growing faster than others

I only mention this because I love the fact that the complexly close Medway ( 5 towns ) has a population of around 285,000 and I rather enjoy the fact that over many years my Gillingham mates stand in awe of the Southend turn out and regularly mention it with disbelief and envy, ,which makes me very proud of my heritage and i think there is something in the blood

I’m sure there are Blues’ fans living in Hadleigh ,Wakering and Rayleigh.

 

[in the know]

Probably because a large number of Londoners are in the ethnic minority category and do not always have a great interest in football and probably can't afford to pay the high admission charges. Most of the fans that attend London based games live elsewhere. Spammers for example say only 3% of ST holders live in the borough of Newham. Even when Orient fans came to Roots Hall probably no more than 1% actually live in Leyton It's hard to call these clubs community clubs despite what they say.

think this is very good point.
Tony Bellew (big Everton fan) highlighted e vertons fan base being mostly locals while Liverpool (the glamour club of the two) had a high tourist can bsse, he made his point by saying if they shut the airport and station Liverpool would be only half full.
I like to think southend fans are mainly local people (within a reasonable radius). Obviously the examples are opposite ends of the scale but hopefully you get my drift.

 

[Eastwood for ever Blue]

I’m sure there are Blues’ fans living in Hadleigh ,Wakering and Rayleigh.

And eastwood

 

[Gt Yarmouth Shrimper]

. Most of the fans that attend London based games live elsewhere. Spammers for example say only 3% of ST holders live in the borough of Newham. Even when Orient fans came to Roots Hall probably no more than 1% actually live in Leyton It's hard to call these clubs community clubs despite what they say.

This is true elsewhere.
Norwich has a population of roughly 145,000.
However, Carrow Road has a capacity of just north of 27,000 and is regularly sold out. They also have, I believe 18,000 season ticket holders.
They have successfully managed to draw their support from a near 40 mile radius ( not including the North Sea, before someone mentions it.) This is where the potential lies for us, Basildon, Grays, Thurrock, Chelmsford,Brentwood, Billericay etc. Pull them in from these places and we can fill the stadium, time after time.

 

[wivs]

I’m sure there are Blues’ fans living in Hadleigh ,Wakering and Rayleigh.

And don't forget Hullbridge

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

This is true elsewhere.
Norwich has a population of roughly 145,000.
However, Carrow Road has a capacity of just north of 27,000 and is regularly sold out. They also have, I believe 18,000 season ticket holders.
They have successfully managed to draw their support from a near 40 mile radius ( not including the North Sea, before someone mentions it.) This is where the potential lies for us, Basildon, Grays, Thurrock, Chelmsford,Brentwood, Billericay etc. Pull them in from these places and we can fill the stadium, time after time.

I've said a few times that Basildon is a gold mine waiting to be explored. Yes, we know most of the supporters support the London clubs. Fair enough. But with the Premiership pricing out parents with kids, and with prices set to rise even more, the horrendous far away view at Spam, never has there been a better time to tempt some of these football fans down to Roots Hall for affordable football. It could be done in a few ways. Half price for a few matches, with proof of Basildon address. Kids up to 12, go free, etc. It's incredible that Basildon is only 12 miles away along the A127, yet hardly any of their football supporters support their nearest main football club.
Someone once suggested SUFC setting up a stall in the main shopping area for a few weeks, to sell Southend United to them, give out great deals on a few matches, etc. I'm not sure Basildon Council would allow that, as it may affect Basildon Utd. But their average attendance is 107, so the town's not interested in them anyway.

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

There is no goldmine in Basildon.
The locals often do not have a lot of expenditure and it is the poorest area i believe.
Surrounding areas ie Wickford, Rayleigh, Hadleigh and Castle Point, certainly. Well served by trains too. Basildon do not come out and support their own events that well, let alone in other areas. Speaking as an event organiser.
Funding goes straight towards Basildon, they need it firstly.

When i leave my house in Wickford, i can be parked up with a walk to Roots Hall in just 22mins. Its easy to be a Shrimper from here.

 

[SouthendSpence]

This is true elsewhere.
Norwich has a population of roughly 145,000.
However, Carrow Road has a capacity of just north of 27,000 and is regularly sold out. They also have, I believe 18,000 season ticket holders.
They have successfully managed to draw their support from a near 40 mile radius ( not including the North Sea, before someone mentions it.) This is where the potential lies for us, Basildon, Grays, Thurrock, Chelmsford,Brentwood, Billericay etc. Pull them in from these places and we can fill the stadium, time after time.

Also helps that Norwich is the only professional club in Norfolk and therefore it pretty much represents the whole county

 

[CrippsCorner]

Speaking of Norwich... obviously, most of us support Southend because we live or have lived here, but if you moved away, would you also half-arse support the team where you moved to? I've lived in (or around) Southend all my life, but as a family we do have long term plans (some 10-15 years away) to move to Norwich one day. They're a team I've always liked, and whilst my heart will always be with Southend United, I think I'd probably attend Norwich games too. Only time would tell I guess.

Interesting about the crowds now being so much bigger than before in the 70s & 80s but any idea why that is? Our league position hasn't helped, is it purely a population reason and some people being priced out of Premiership games?

To be honest most of my friends support either Tottenham or West Ham, but there are a few that come to Southend games too. I don't know how many Premiership games they attend, need to ask that question, but I think it's pretty few and far between.