As the National League club lies on its deathbed, photographer and Shrimper Dave Shields shares his record of loyal Southend United fans on their recent travels.

Sadly, Southend United are just the latest football club to find themselves on the brink, drowning in a mess that typically has nothing to do with the those that feel the pain the most – the fans.

The club, steeped in 116 years of years – over a decade of which has been in the Football League, could go out of business within a month. 

In a scene that has become all too familiar outside grounds around the country, the Shrimpers recently took to the streets that surround Roots Hall to protest against the clubs ownership, which has left them in financial disarray. 

The Essex football club takes centre stage amongst a community of loyal supporters, for which the thought of loosing their club is heartbreaking.

One fan, photographer Dave Shields, has become widely celebrated not just for his football stadium pictures up and down the country, but also for his intimate coverage following Southend United – home and away, and of all things Roots Hall, a journey that he has proudly shared with his two children.

“It’s never easy being a Southend supporter, but I will continue to document our adventure… wherever that may take us.”

Dave Shields

Season ticket holder Shields has followed Southend United since his first visit to Roots Hall as an 11 year for an FA Cup encounter with Liverpool.

His loyalties then would have swayed firmly Liverpool’s way as their star names, and Kenny Dalglish in particular, were his childhood idols.

He remembers little from that January night, except the swirling snow captured in the glare of the floodlights.

But although it would be another six years or so before Southend United fully won him over, that night sparked an interest in football, and stadiums, that has inspired Shields on a photographic journey, picturing grounds up and down the country.

“My first game was in January 1979, a 0-0 draw against the mighty Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup,” he recalls.

“I was 11 and it would be my Dad’s first and only ever game (not a fan!). I do not remember much about the game except watching the snow fall against the floodlights, I believe my love of stadiums (and floodlights) started that night while I was standing on the concrete terrace in the West Stand of Roots Hall. 

“Still fascinated by those same lights over 40 years later!

“If only I took a camera that night, but I was too busy supporting the team in red! My love of Southend started six years later.”

He became Roots Hall regular, accompanied by his son and daughter, and made it a personal mission to take it as much live football as possible with Southend, both home and away, once the spectator ban during Covid was lifted.

“On Saturday 21st August 2021 live football was back with supporters in the stands and terraces, no more behind closed doors games, no more paying £10 to watch it on your device,” he said.

“For Southend supporters this meant heading to The Walks stadium, home of Kings Lynn. A bittersweet experience for my fellow 1500 Shrimpers who made the trip, we were at a live match but it was our first game in the National League. 

“The previous couple of seasons had not been kind… but that’s another story for another day!

Since that day Shields has captured his travels with Southend, from Eastleigh to Dagenham and from Maidenhead to Solihull. 

“Southend supporters are passionate, they are loyal… and they travel in numbers,” he said.

“It’s never easy being a Southend supporter, but I will continue to document our adventure… wherever that may take us.”

“Southend supporters are passionate, they are loyal… and they travel in numbers.”

Dave Shields

Shields got into photography at school, when one enterprising teacher built a darkroom in the art class.

“After printing my first black and white photo I was hooked,” he remembers, crediting that with the reason he still produces so much black and white material now.  

Shields found Inspiration in the work of Documentary and Street photographers including André Kertész and Robert Doisneau, and advises any aspiring photographers to visit galleries and exhibitions to broaden their outlook.

“This has always been my go to places for inspiration,” he said.