Former Southend United boss Barry Fry has joined forces with Blues fans in their bid to reclaim the Roots Hall North Bank.

The 57-year-old, who is now manager of Second Division Peterborough, said the stand played a major role in his short, but successful spell in charge of the Shrimpers.

Aided by star striker Stan Collymore, Fry kept Blues in Division One against all the odds during the 1992/93 season, before turning Southend into Premiership promotion contenders the following year.

And the self-confessed Del Boy of football, who quit Roots Hall for Birmingham City, admitted he would never have achieved so much without the power of the North Bank.

"We pulled off miracles when I was manager at Southend and the North Bank played its part," said Fry.

"When I first arrived at Roots Hall, Blues were dead and buried and heading for Division Two, but we managed to get out of trouble and those passionate fans behind the goal made a huge difference."

The Evening Echo is campaigning to return Blues' fans to the North Bank stand.

Fry urged the powers that be at Roots Hall to give Blues' fans back their favourite stand. "It's great to see Southend up at the top of the Third Division table and I would love them to get promoted this year," he said.

"And I'm sure that old North Bank, packed full of noisy Blues fans, could make all the difference and help shout the Shrimpers back up the leagues."

Published Wednesday October 16, 2002

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