2004/2005 Preview - Southend United

LAST SEASON

17th for the Shrimpers last season after being tipped by several for relegation - a decent showing all things considered - naturally their season turned around after they beat us with eight men!

WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN UP TO THIS SUMMER?

Been reasonably busy in Southend this summer with no fewer than six new arrivals. Into the club have come Wayne Gray (MK Dons), Bart Griemink (Swindon), Adam Barrett (Bristol Rovers), Carl Pettefer (Portsmouth), Andy Edwards (Rushden) and Nicky Nicolau (Arsenal)

Through the exit door went Leon Cort (Hull) whilst Jamie Stuart, David McSweeney, Leke Odunsi and Neil Jenkins were all released at the end of last season

WHO ARE THEIR FAMOUS FANS?

Alison Moyet is by far their 'biggest' celebrity fan and, if there is room, she is joined at Roots Hall by the comedian Terry Alderton and politician Teddy Taylor.

5 THINGS THE LOCALS SAY ABOUT SOUTHEND

1. "got an idea- if we keep moving the benches further up the highstreet then the bench crew will move further out of town (as they seem to be gued to he benches)p.s. if u want to have a decent life and not become a druggie etc then stay away from the bench"

2. "I guess you can split Southend into two: The Goth/grungers who show us their indervidual by wearing all black, and loadsa makeup. They always sit outside W H Smith, and I can't remember a time when I haven't seen at least two sit outside looking quite scary, and brrr... giving me the chills. Then you have the 'world famous' seafront, full of s, s, s and s. Wannabie rudeboys who sit in their cars all night with their quite young girlfriends. The clubs around Southend also suck, playing nothing but rude-boy esque garage, or poppy hip hop, and are full of morons with attitude, like they have something to prove to themselves and other people. A few clubs do play some half decent stuff, but its pretty hard to find them. Most normal people stay away, away from southend."

3. "Southend United, a total embarassment. The whateveritis and Firkin, a clone of every other Firkin pub in the country only worse! The way the council has allowed the pier to decay. Commuting from Chalkwell station in the middle of winter when a gale is howling off the sea and the b stards have cancelled your train."

4. "I don't live there anymore! Southend pier is entered in the guinness book of records, and all you Tory loving arse holes should spend some brass and get the pier back as it was, with arcades on the end, and while you're at it make it safe for the fishermen (if any one is allowed up there still), Don't let this institution rust and fall away by the wayside, the pier is Southend, spend money on it and you will reap the rewards later."

5. Local celebrities that aren't famous The man who looks like father Christmas who marches up and down the high street with his shirt off Penny steve who works on the flower stall by tescos, hours of fun can be had throwing old coppers at him and watching him retrieve them

ARE WE ANY GOOD AGAINST SOUTHEND?

Not bad indeed. 24 wins in the 50 meetings is a decent enough record with 10 draws. 74 to 60 is the goal difference in our favour. For the full list of results, click here

WHEN DO WE PLAY THEM?

16th October we head for the sea at Southend while they make their trip here on February 4th.

IF I WANT TO FIND OUT MORE WHERE DO I GO?

Not quite sure what the graphic is supposed to be - I guess a Shrimp? It's the Rivals site and click the banner to get there.

WHAT ARE THEIR CHANCES NEXT SEASON?

Had you asked me at Christmas I would have said relegation but I'm game to change my mind - about the same as last season.

Why not check out the latest Vetch Verdict on the BBC site?