Roots Hall
capacity correction
| ← Previous revision | Revision as of 20:19, 22 April 2026 | ||
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| built = 1952 |
| built = 1952 |
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| opened = 1955 |
| opened = 1955 |
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| seating_capacity = 12,392 (restricted to 11, |
| seating_capacity = 12,392 (restricted to 11,403) |
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| tenants = [[Southend United F.C.]] (1955–present) |
| tenants = [[Southend United F.C.]] (1955–present) |
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| dimensions = 110 × 74 yards |
| dimensions = 110 × 74 yards |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Roots Hall''' is a [[Soccer-specific stadium|football stadium]] located in [[Southend-on-Sea]], Essex, England. The stadium is the home ground of the [[National League (English football)|National League]] team [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]]. With a capacity of 12,392, however currently restricted to 11, |
'''Roots Hall''' is a [[Soccer-specific stadium|football stadium]] located in [[Southend-on-Sea]], Essex, England. The stadium is the home ground of the [[National League (English football)|National League]] team [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]]. With a capacity of 12,392, however currently restricted to 11,403, Roots Hall is the largest football stadium in [[Essex]]. During the early 21st century there was lengthy discussion of a new 22,000-seat stadium at [[Fossetts Farm]], but a change of ownership in 2024 ended prospects of that development, with the new owners instead pursuing redevelopment of Roots Hall. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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On 19 July 2024 the consortium finally completed its takeover of Southend United. They were able to make this happen by separating the transaction of property from the takeover deal, with Roots Hall initially remaining under Martin's ownership but with a £1 lease agreed for over 20 years, and a path to acquire the freehold "well within that timeframe". Martin will also provide "a significant contribution" for Roots Hall to be developed using the profits acquired from property development at the Fossetts Farm site.{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Further details from the consortium's deal to buy Blues |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/24466578.details-consortiums-deal-buy-southend-united/ |website=Echo |access-date=8 August 2024 |language=en |date=21 July 2024}} |
On 19 July 2024 the consortium finally completed its takeover of Southend United. They were able to make this happen by separating the transaction of property from the takeover deal, with Roots Hall initially remaining under Martin's ownership but with a £1 lease agreed for over 20 years, and a path to acquire the freehold "well within that timeframe". Martin will also provide "a significant contribution" for Roots Hall to be developed using the profits acquired from property development at the Fossetts Farm site.{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=Further details from the consortium's deal to buy Blues |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/24466578.details-consortiums-deal-buy-southend-united/ |website=Echo |access-date=8 August 2024 |language=en |date=21 July 2024}} |
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The first few weeks under new ownership saw immediate investment to bring the ground up to scratch including a new video scoreboard,{{cite web |title=🔨 Here it comes! Our brand-new scoreboard is almost ready for action 🤩 |url=https://x.com/SUFCRootsHall/status/1818988047163117747 |website=X |publisher=Southend United |access-date=8 August 2024 |date=1 August 2024}} new external signage{{cite web |title=Foxhie Invest in New East Stand Sign |url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2024/july/24/foxhie-invest-in-new-east-stand-sign/ |website=Southend United |access-date=8 August 2024 |language=en |date=24 July 2024}} and increased bar capacity. In September 2024 the consortium announced "medium-term" plans to increase the stadium's capacity by opening part of the North Bank to home supporters, to introduce a "Fan Zone" outside the stadium, to replace the floodlights with more efficient LEDs, and to bring forward plans to more widely refurbish the West and South Stands, and replace the East Stand entirely.{{Cite web |title=Facilities Update From Tom Lawrence |url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2024/september/19/facilities-update/ |website=Southend United |access-date=20 September 2024 |language=en |date=19 September 2024}} The North Bank was reopened to home supporters in December 2024 bringing the capacity back up to 10, |
The first few weeks under new ownership saw immediate investment to bring the ground up to scratch including a new video scoreboard,{{cite web |title=🔨 Here it comes! Our brand-new scoreboard is almost ready for action 🤩 |url=https://x.com/SUFCRootsHall/status/1818988047163117747 |website=X |publisher=Southend United |access-date=8 August 2024 |date=1 August 2024}} new external signage{{cite web |title=Foxhie Invest in New East Stand Sign |url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2024/july/24/foxhie-invest-in-new-east-stand-sign/ |website=Southend United |access-date=8 August 2024 |language=en |date=24 July 2024}} and increased bar capacity. In September 2024 the consortium announced "medium-term" plans to increase the stadium's capacity by opening part of the North Bank to home supporters, to introduce a "Fan Zone" outside the stadium, to replace the floodlights with more efficient LEDs, and to bring forward plans to more widely refurbish the West and South Stands, and replace the East Stand entirely.{{Cite web |title=Facilities Update From Tom Lawrence |url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2024/september/19/facilities-update/ |website=Southend United |access-date=20 September 2024 |language=en |date=19 September 2024}} The North Bank was reopened to home supporters in December 2024 bringing the capacity back up to 10,502 from the 8,800 previous. 815 of this being allocated to away supporters.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-20 |title=Solopress North Bank Update |url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2024/december/20/solopress-north-bank-update/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=Southend United |language=en}} |
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In June 2025, the club appointed AFL Architects to work on redeveloping Roots Hall, seeking a 'community-driven transformation' of the ground.{{cite news |last1=Spocchia |first1=Gino |title=AFL Architects replaces Populous on Southend United redevelopment |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/afl-architects-replaces-populous-on-southend-united-redevelopment |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=Architects' Journal |date=4 July 2025}} |
In June 2025, the club appointed AFL Architects to work on redeveloping Roots Hall, seeking a 'community-driven transformation' of the ground.{{cite news |last1=Spocchia |first1=Gino |title=AFL Architects replaces Populous on Southend United redevelopment |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/afl-architects-replaces-populous-on-southend-united-redevelopment |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=Architects' Journal |date=4 July 2025}} |
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== Structure == |
== Structure == |
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=== North West Corner === |
=== North West Corner === |
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The North West Corner is made up of blocks X, Y and Z and can hold 1,385 people |
The North West Corner is made up of blocks X, Y and Z and can hold 1,385 people in use. It was initially terracing when it was created back in the 1960s. In 1995 it was converted into seating at the same time as the West Stand and other parts of the ground. The roof was extended from the west and the north stands to cover the North-west Corner. |
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In April 2026 Blocks Y and Z were opened to home supporters for the first time since they hosted Ipswich in October 2019. Block Y was fully opened and Block Z the first 9 rows. The first 11 rows of Block X have been used by home supporters since April 2025 and the rest of the block was also announced open to home fans on April 22 2026. {{Cite web |last=fc |first=southend united |date=2026-04-22 |title=Tickets: Wealdstone (H) |url=https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2026/april/22/tickets--wealdstone--h-/ |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=southend united fc |language=en}} |
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== References == |
== References == |
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