West Ham to visit Roots Hall pre-season

The Essex Courier today exclusively revealed one of Blues pre-season opponents this summer is to be Premiership side West Ham United.

The Hammers have been regular visitors to Roots Hall for pre-season and Testimonial matches over the years and will be guests of Southend United in July as part of both clubs warm up for the 2002/2003 season.

Action from West Ham's last visit to Roots Hall in July 1998

The Hammers will be sending a full first team squad for the game as the Premiership side will be basing themselves in the heart of Essex this summer. A date for the match has yet to be finalised but TLG believes the game will take place in the third week of July.

West Ham last visited Roots Hall for a pre-season match in July 1998 which the East London side won 5-0.