The demolition countdown is ticking faster and faster for one of Southend's most prominent landmarks.
Not the rickety arm of the world's longest pier stretching out into the Thames Estuary, or the scaffold-covered Palace Hotel, looking down across its wooden beams.
But Roots Hall. The grey barrel roof, towering floodlight pylons and sneaked glimpse of the East Stand seats, which never fails to conjure mental action replays of memorable football matches every time I drive down Prittlewell Chase.
For as long as I can remember, my whole life in fact, this has been Southend United's home. It's the place I spent most Friday nights as a teenager, helplessly spellbound by the illuminated magic of football under floodlights; win, lose or draw.
I've shivered overnight inside a sleeping bag in the cold concrete car park, making sure I got tickets for a cup match against Spurs, boasting Gazza, Lineker et al.
There have been promotions and relegations, and as Blues reporter, I used to scribble notes on hundreds of games, from the second tier of English football, through to reserve and youth fixtures, plus a giant-killing feat against Manchester United destined to remain immortal.
But a big chunk of the picture is set to disappear for good. Roots Hall will make way for a new Sainsbury's and flats, as soon as the Blues relocate to their new 22,000 capacity Fossetts Farm home, currently pencilled in for 2011.
I for one will be sad to see the old ground condemned to soccer's graveyard. I would never stand in the way of progress, especially the extra cash windfall from on-site retail development.
But it will be hard to say goodbye to a very old friend. This thought left me mortified when I took a bone-digging spin around town, hoping to unearth some sort of legacy from the Shrimpers' previous two homes in the borough - the Kursaal and Southend Stadium.
Which Bernie goes on to talk about in the full Evening Echo article here:
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/4403679.Sing_the_Blues_for_stadiums_past/