There was a cacophony of noise with fans beating drums and clapping as the 700 spectators left the Roots Hall, where a giant screen had been set up to show the match in Southport.
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The Shrimpers won 3-1 in the semi-final, with fans toasting Charley Kendall’s pair of goals after the National League side initially fell behind in Lancashire.
Supporter Andy Long was among the spectators at Roots Hall and said he was “delighted” by the win, adding that “Charley Kendall, along with the rest of the team, was absolutely magnificent.”
“The boys played very well, they fought and they fought,” he said.
“Well done (head coach) Kevin Maher; he’s done a fantastic job over the last two or three years, taking the club from nothing to Wembley.”
Southend will face Wealdstone on May 17 at the national stadium, where they will hope for a better result after suffering defeat to Oldham in the National League play-off final in the capital last season.
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After the final whistle was heard on the Roots Hall screen, fan Nathan Doucette said he was “very, very excited” to be going to Wembley “twice in the space of a year”.
At the start of the season, he said he was “stressed, but everything is fine, we’re already there. If we get a trophy, it will be a start.”
Fan Lauren Perry said she was “very grateful” for the Shrimpers’ win (Stephen Huntley/BBC)
Shrimpers fan Lauren Perry said she was also “delighted”.
“We totally deserve it, we have done very well,” he said.
“I never had any doubt: we have the best team in the world.”
Southend charged adults £5 to watch in Essex (Stephen Huntley/BBC)
Southend were allocated 808 tickets for the match at Southport’s Haig Avenue ground.
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Former Shrimpers midfielder Glenn Pennyfather, presenter of BBC Essex’s Phone-In program for football fans, was one of the station’s commentators.
“I heard someone say ‘if you go to Wembley often enough, you must be doing something right,'” he said.
“And the Blues must be doing something right recently because they are going to Wembley again, which is fantastic.
“This time there will be no limitations on Blues fans getting tickets – we hope it will be a wonderful atmosphere and a great occasion.”
Attendance at last year’s play-off final was 52,000 at the 90,000-capacity Wembley.
Southend fans suffered heartbreak in the National League play-off final at Wembley in 2025 (Adam Davy/PA)
Southend’s route to the final also included wins against Truro City, Bath City, Chatham Town and Horsham.
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Forward Kendall, 25, said the team was “very excited” to be playing on the famous turf again.
“We all have that part in our teeth that we want to go there and win,” he said.
Kevin Maher will coach his Southend United team again at Wembley (BBC)
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