for those that are going, might have to do a crawl among the few that are mentioned from this link:
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/park/yfh45/southend.htmWhat Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are housed in the North Stand, which is now all seated after being a former terrace. Like most former terraces that have had seats bolted onto them, the leg room and height distance between each row is less than desirable. The large number of supporting pillars will probably also impede your view; although this does not make for a great experience at least the Stand is covered. Up to 2,000 away fans can be accommodated in the North Stand, although the initial allocation is 1,200. One good thing for away fans in the North Stand, is that comparatively few numbers of fans can really make some noise from it. On my last visit there was quite a good atmosphere and I experienced no problems around the ground.
Refreshments within the away area are served from an 'Transport Cafe' type establishment, complete with tables and chairs. The usual range is available such as Pukka Pies (£2.20), cheeseburgers (£2.80) and hot dogs (£2.80). Bear in mind though, that getting your drinks in one piece back to your seat can be quite a challenge. The front of the stand is below pitch level, with stairs leading up to each pitch access point where the stewards stand. Going up and down these flights of stairs, with a cup of coffee in each hand, can present a problem.
Even though Roots Hall is an older ground it has some rather modern electronic turnstiles. Each match ticket has a bar code printed onto it and fans insert their ticket into a bar code reader at the turnstile to gain entrance to the stadium. I did notice once inside the stadium, that the stewards were alerted when a concession or junior ticket was being used, so that they could check that it was for the appropriate person.
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Where To Drink?
The main away fans pub is the Golden Lion, which is situated on the A127, just up from from the car park entrance to the Main Stand. On my last visit this pub was very busy, but the bar staff were good in getting people served relatively quickly. This pub which serves drinks before the game in plastic glasses, also had a large screen television, showing Sky. The nearby Spread Eagle pub is for home fans only. There is also a good fish and chip shop located across the road by the traffic lights, called the 'Fish House', which I found to be excellent. Judging by the amount of fans standing outside eating fish and chips (there is some seating inside as well), then I'm not the only one that thinks it is good.
Henry Willard a visiting Yeovil fan adds; ''The Blue Boar' pub which is at the crossroads (where the traffic lights are) is a very good place for away fans to congregate before the game, it' was friendly and relaxed.
A little further away are two more pubs. 'The Bell' which you pass on your way into Southend on the A127 and 'The Nelson' in North Road. The Bell is a large 'Toby Carvery', whilst The Nelson is a basic pub with a beer garden and is probably only worth a visit if you arrive early and want to kill time. It is about a five minute walk from the Spread Eagle. Just go past the the Spread Eagle on your right, turn right at the lights and then turn left into North Road, opposite the petrol station. The pub is up on the right.
