The Shrimpers have finally confirmed the match at Billericay Town’s New Lodge against Ryman League Premier Division Chelmsford City on Saturday 16th July, a game revealed on this website over a month ago. The fixture also starts the pre-season campaign for Craig Edwards’ men, who just missed out on the play-off spots after staring relegation in the face at the turn of the year, and will be looking to challenge for the championship next season. Blues lost 2-0 to City in the semi-finals of the Essex Senior Cup in 2002/3, and won 6-1 in a friendly the following summer.
Meanwhile, United are also set to travel to the Wallace Binder Ground, home of Ryman League newcomers Maldon Town on Tuesday 26th July. The East Essex club join near-neighbours Heybridge Swifts in the Ryman Premier after an incredible run during the campaign, winning a club record thirteen straight matches. The Blackwater ground has long been a pre-season venue for Steve Tilson’s men, the Under-18s winning 7-2 there last year and the first-team 1-0 a term previously.
Southend will also face Nationwide Conference Grays Athletic, concluding the schedule on Saturday July 30th. Of course, United also take on two Coca-Cola Championship sides – Millwall on Tuesday 19th July and Norwich City on Saturday 23rd July. The latter match will celebrate fifty years of consecutive football at Roots Hall with Blues facing the Canaries as they did in August 1955.
The League One fixtures are released tomorrow morning at ten o’clock, and don’t forget to click here at www.thelittlegazette.com for our insight into the main matches and all of the reaction to the season’s schedule ahead.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com