Southend United chiefs are busy trying to get the doors of their newly-refurbished Shrimpers bar open in time for Saturday's Third Division kick-off at Roots Hall against Plymouth Argyle.

The Blues supporters' social club used to be a hive of activity on match days, but in recent years it had been allowed to slide into a sorry state of disrepair, before it was given a major overhaul this summer.

"We decided to re-open the bar because we wanted to give our fans somewhere to meet so they could have a drink and a chat before the game," said the Seasiders' chief executive Peter Storrie.

"One thing we are desperate to do at Southend is rebuild the club's community spirit and the re-birth of the Shrimpers bar is a good way to spearhead our plans."

The supporters' meeting place will be renamed "The New Shrimpers Bar" and will also house new headquarters for the Junior Blues and Southend's youth development scheme.

Southend are confident the town's magistrates will rubber stamp the bar's opening at a meeting at Roots Hall.

Blues officials confirmed that a series of special celebratory promotions are planned for the grand opening - which will include cheap drinks.

The bar is set to open at 12.30pm with all draught beer being sold at half price until 2pm.

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