Stan Collymore speaks after Southend fans invade pitch; protests stop play restarting

Stan Collymore speaks after seeing Southend fans invade the Roots Hall pitch as protests stop play restarting on Tuesday night.

Angry Shrimpers supporters stormed onto the pitch following their side’s 1-0 victory against Eastleigh in the National League.

Southend midfielder Nathan Ferguson scored the only goal of the encounter as Phil Brown’s side ended a run of four successive National League defeats.

The fans are turning…lowest home crowd for donkeys years but they made themselves heard before, during and after. Martin Out. pic.twitter.com/ffAooOEzZb

— Save Our Southend 🆘🦐 (@OurSouthend) October 5, 2021

However it was Blues’ fans who took centre stage by running onto the field with ‘Martin Out’ banners and storming towards the directors box to chant for under-fire chairman Ron Martin to quit the club, something he is adamant to not doing.

Flags and banners were also put on display before kick off in the West Stand and were also walked along the side of the pitch on a number of occasions during the second half.

The victory moved the struggling Shrimpers up to 18th in the table, but the possibility of relegation still sits high on the fans’ minds.

Southend United manager Phil Brown has revealed why play was halted by protesting supporters, and he said it was to do with the assistant referee in front of the West Stand who could not run unopposed down the touchline due to fans marching a ‘Martin Out’ banner.

“It affected the game because the linesman over the far side was having an issue,” said Brown.

“That’s why the restart took so long and the referee said to me he wouldn’t restart the game until the linesman could run the line.

“When they were going up and down with the Martin out banner that becomes my issue.

“It’s not nice to see the chairman’s name getting bannered around and asking for him to be out.

“It looks like it’s the majority too at the moment.

“But when it’s interrupting the game that’s the part I got interested.”

Stan Collymore, who has held talks with chairman Ron Martin in the summer and was instrumental in the appointment of Tom Lawrence as chief executive, was at the game.

After hearing a song in homage to him, he tweeted: “Thank you for the song, brings back happy memories.

“Your frustrations are being heard. Trust me.

“Time for Southend to come together, United.”

@StanCollymore pic.twitter.com/7vdh3aWuu9

— Save Our Southend 🆘🦐 (@OurSouthend) October 5, 2021

SEE MORE: Southend manager defends under-fire chairman for confronting angry fans’ chants

As Stan Collymore speaks after Southend fans invade the pitch, fans gave their reaction on what happened…

@KevinSnowman: I don’t really understand this from what I’ve read over summer ron has backed phil brown invested in the team what do the fans actually want him to do n if he goes thr club would devolve,most probably 😗

@samchivers97: Southend fans NEED to take ownership back and reclaim their great club! Frost step for that is getting that lying bastard out! #MartinOut

@dylanwalsh_: To every single Southend fan on that pitch, I absolutely salute you 👏🏼 #MartinOut

@jemmaaross: Arsed with some Southend fans man. Look at the state of the club. Things need to change. #Martinout

@BenHno1: Though the protest should not have walked along the pitch and that could cost the club. Imagine if the ref had stopped the game before the goal went in instead of afterwards.

@SheldonW65: What exactly has Brown done wrong ? I would be looking much closer at RD and his conduct. There’s a reason why he never progressed outside of the youth system for many many years.

@CustardSplatPod: Before fans of other clubs get hold of this and get the wrong idea… no, this isn’t a fan base who thought they had a god given right to bounce back straight away. The chairman on the other hand might have done. Years of neglect, finally people have had enough.

@shrimperlee: I wouldn’t have appointed Brown, so would not be sorry to see him go. We need a manager who knows the level and someone where it isn’t all about them. The protests should have been kept to before & after the game, but were passionate. A much needed win but papering over cracks.

@molyneux_dave: Think Brown should stay for now, not a huge fan, but feel he will eventually get it right. Second half performance was vastly improved. Protest was fine, apart from encroaching pitchside during the game, could have caused issues. Great video from Dave Shields of the goal/protest!

I’m pleased they still did this even after a win. Blinded by property development and run us into the ground over the last 5 years

If you want some context… if we’d gone up in that time as quickly as we’ve gone down, we’d be playing in Europe this season! https://t.co/ihzQULWmmR

— W A L L A C E (@ScottWallace_) October 5, 2021