Southend: Roots

Words: Han Balk

Images: Han Balk

Travelling to Southend from London inevitably reminded me of Billy Bragg's A13, Trunk Road to the Sea.

I may have been travelling by train rather than by car, but with my AirPods in, The Bard of Barking seemed to call out every station perfectly: Barking, Basildon, Leigh-on-Sea, Chalkwell...

There was just one problem.

Because of delays and engineering works, the train stopped calling after Barking. Dave Shields was supposed to pick me up at Leigh-on-Sea, but eventually we met at Southend Central, where Oliver was waiting too.

Visiting the Shrimpers finally allowed me to repay a promise to fellow football photographer Dave aka Football Stadium Photography, who had visited Deventer just before football shut down during the COVID pandemic.

He showed me around the area surrounding Roots Hall, a wonderfully compact stadium squeezed into a residential neighbourhood.

And yes, there are still proper floodlights standing proudly above the ground—although, if I'm honest, they're still not quite as beautiful as the ones at De Adelaarshorst on Vetkampstraat.

If there's one person who knows every corner of Roots Hall, it's Dave. Through his project, he has spent years capturing the character of football grounds across England especially his own Roots Hall.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Southend United blue plaque.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Southend colours.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Southend United sign.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Seasiders!

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Roots Hall floodlights.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Southend programme seller.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Southend scarves.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Southend United FC.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Roots Hall floodlights.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Southend United vs Aveley.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Roots Hall stairs.

©Han Balk/ Terrace Edition. Roots Hall PA.

Han is on X and Instagram: @hanbalk and Bluesky: @hanbalk.bsky.social