It has been an emotional rollercoaster for Southend United fans who have backed their team through financial turmoil and the threat of extinction in the last few years. But these dark days felt like a distant memory when Gus Scott-Morriss buried his winning penalty against Forest Green Rovers in the National League play-off semi-final. The BBC spoke to fans in the Essex city ahead of a trip to Wembley.
'Half the city will be there'
Tom Everett, 30, who was selling bakery bread in the High Street on Thursday, said he listened to the semi-final commentary on BBC Essex.
"We're one of the best-supported clubs in non-league," he told the BBC.
"I honestly think half the population [of Southend] will be at Wembley".
'City needs its football club'
"It's about time" the club reached the final, said 21-year-old Aaron Smith.
"A town without a club – to me – isn't a town," he added.
He was already thinking about his train up to Wembley and said: "Once you're there, you don't have to worry about sleeping, because we're gonna win it and you drink all night."
Family affair
Trevor Day, 62, has been a season ticket holder since the 1970s.
"The city of Southend needs Southend United," he said.
Asked if he was going to Wembley, he replied: "Just try and stop me. My boy will be there, all my mates will be there.
"There'll be 35,000 Southend mates there."
Lifelong memories
Keith Horner, 65, said he felt very attached to Southend's journey, and his son video-called him to share the celebrations after the final whistle.
"It's really emotional," he said.
"I told my grandson, 'It's memories we'll have for the rest of our lives'. He'll always remember it, as will I."
He continued: "As a surprise for him, I've even gone and bought a Southend shirt so I can wear the colours with him."
'Success on horizon'
James Schooley, who is chairman of the Shrimpers Trust, described how fans watching the game on a big screen at Roots Hall stadium were "crying in the stands".
"It just feels like we have our club back again – that's the main thing."
The Blues were relegated from the English Football League in 2021 for the first time in 101 years.
Over the next few years, bills went unpaid, staff and players were paid late, transfer embargoes were placed on the club, and the side were docked 10 points.
Multiple winding-up petitions were made to the High Court and debts reached about £2.5m.
But debts were paid off when Custodians of Southend United agreed to buy the club from previous owner Ron Martin – a sale which was eventually completed in July.
The new owners want to redevelop Roots Hall.