Match preview: Southend United (h)

The Spireites look to end January with a perfect league record when they welcome Southend United to the SMH Group Stadium.

Paul Cook’s side will be looking to avoid a second defeat to the Shrimpers this season after the 2-1 defeat back in November.

Here’s everything you need to know…

Match Details

Date: Saturday, January 27, 2024

Opponents: Southend United

Kick-off: 3pm

Competition: Vanarama National League

Location: SMH Group Stadium

Tickets

Tickets are available for the fixture here: https://tickets.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/en-gb/categories/match

Live Radio Commentary

Our in-house radio station, 1866 Sport, will provide exclusive full match commentary on the game, as well as pre and post-match analysis.

Don’t forget that 1866 Sport is on air 24-hours a day, seven days a week!

You can download the app from the Apple Store here: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1866-sport/id1580041321

If you’re an Android user, you can download the app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.radio.ma57501030

Alternatively, you can listen online here: https://streaming.radio.co/s47db4a4f3/listen

It is also available via Alexa.

Our dedicated matchday show is sponsored by National Windscreens and will see commentator Phil Tooley joined by a special co-commentator.

Social Media

You can follow the action on our Twitter page (https://twitter.com/ChesterfieldFC), where we will provide regular updates.

Key news and moments will also be posted onto our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Pre/post-match interviews and highlights will be posted to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6hnRkCdElagLJlOqlgukPA) throughout the weekend.

The Opposition

Name: Southend United Football Club

Nickname: The Shrimpers

Founded: 1906

Stadium: Roots Hall

Capacity: 12,392

Head coach: Kevin Maher

Honours:

League One Champions | 2005/06

Fourth Division Champions | 1980/81

League Two Play-Off Winners | 2004/05 & 2014/15

Southern League Second Division Champions | 1906/07 & 1907/08

On Kevin Maher

Kevin Maher, a Southend United legend, spent ten years of his playing career at Roots Hall – playing over 400 times and scoring over 20 goals. Following his retirement from playing and time spent at Bristol Rovers, the former Tottenham Hotspur youth product returned to the Shrimpers in 2021. Since then, Maher has continued to enhance his legend at the club. The Southend head coach’s hard work resulted in a long-term contract extension, following the completion of the club’s takeover. Assistant coach Darren Currie and first-team coach Mark Bentley were also tied to new deals.

One to watch

Harry Cardwell has been arguably Southend United’s standout players so far this season. The striker had EFL interest in the summer but decided to stay at Roots Hall in their successful attempt at overturning their ten-point deduction. Cardwell and the rest of the team have even managed to get the Shrimpers on the cusp of a possible play-off charge.

This season in numbers:

Appearances – 23

Goals – 12

Yellow Cards – 1

Red Cards – 0

Minutes Played – 2,033

Played for both

After spells at Coventry City and Crewe Alexandra, Martyn Booty joined Southend United on loan from Reading in 1999. He soon made his move permanent – which started a two-year stay at Roots Hall – and played alongside current Southend head coach Kevin Maher.

Booty joined Chesterfield in 2001 and spent another two years up in North Derbyshire. He made around 80 appearances for the Spireites during his stay, scoring two goals, before leaving in 2003 to join Huddersfield Town. Martyn’s son, Regan, now plays for fellow National League club Gateshead.

View from the dugout

Danny Webb said: “We’ve got to go into it with full confidence and we’re confident we can get a result but we’ll have to be on it. We’re ready for them.

“They have lots of attacking threats and are defensively solid; they’re a fantastic side. It’s a real big fixture, bring it on.”