New digs to catapult Southend United growth

Article posted by Coliseum, March 29^th, 2023

Image: Southend United and Populous

The Vanarama National League team Southend United F.C. have announced that they have reached an agreement with the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council to build residential homes on the site of the current Roots Hall Ground in England (UK) and also at the site of the proposed new stadium.

‘Football Ground Guide’ stated that the income from these developments will provide the necessary finance to build the new stadium and is a major step forward for the club with this project.

The Southend United Football Club is a professional association football club based in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England (UK). As of the 2022-2023 seasons, the team competes in the National League, the fifth tier of English football.

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The Roots Hall is a football stadium located in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England (UK). The stadium is the home ground of the Vanarama National League team Southend United. With a capacity of 12,392, Roots Hall is the largest football stadium in Essex.

The National League, known as the Vanarama National League for sponsorship reasons, is the highest level of the National League System and fifth-highest of the overall English football league system. It is the highest league that is semi-professional in the English football league system.

The Southend-on-Sea City Council is the local authority of the Southend-on-Sea district in Essex, England. It is a unitary authority, having the powers of a non-metropolitan county and district council combined. It is a member of the East of England Local Government Association.

How the New Stadium May Look

‘Football Ground Guide’ further stated that the club are hoping to build a new stadium at Fossetts Farm, which is around one and a half miles away from Roots Hall and is located just behind the club’s training ground in Eastern Avenue. The initial capacity of the stadium will be 14,000 with the potential to be increased to 22,000 at a later date. The club have been looking for many years to build a new stadium and although the stadium is still yet to gain planning permission, it looks as if it may well now become a reality.

The 17,000-capacity Fossetts Park is the provisional name for a football stadium proposed to be built in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England (UK) as a new home for Southend United F.C. to replace its current town center Roots Hall Stadium. The name may be changed if sponsorship for the stadium is secured.

Stadium Details

21,000-seater stadium;
State-of-the-art training complex;
Extensive community facilities;
Creating employment for 1,500 people;
A major investment in the club and town;
Academy Dome;
Jones Memorial dedicated car parking;
Community Dome;
Retail and cinema development;
Fan plaza;
Residential units; and
Training facilities.

A unique stadium project extended to 60 acres lie in the foundations today for future success. A dedicated restaurant access of Sutton Road leading to the fan plaza. The mixed-use facility will be available not just on matchdays but for people to enjoy all year round. The plaza is huge with cafés and bars adjacent – a special place to meet and will lend a sense of revival. The Club Shop with the restaurants and bars adjacent has special place to meet. The club shop will boast restaurants and bars overlooking the pitch.

The 21,000-seat stadium has been designed to replicate the intense atmosphere. The stadium has been designed by leading architects Populous who is responsible for the 66,000-capacity London Olympics Stadium and the 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium in Wembley, England. There will be over 1,000 parking spaces on matchdays to facilitate hassle-free access for fans. The training ground will be state-of-the-art and it will be the players who will manage their place of work and reflect the ambitions of the club too. The new stadium complex will be an investment into the future and their new home for the next century and will enable the Southend United to fulfill its long-held potential.

A statement sent out by Populous read, “The way in which the Southend United have integrated homes, business, leisure, and sport together under one roof is a global first. This is a brilliant and innovative development.”

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