The Custard Splat

Southend United are into the FA Trophy Semi-Final and it’s officially all gas no brakes as we enter the chaotic month of March.In this episode of "The Splat" we break down the disappointment at Boreham Wood, preview tonight’s huge clash with Truro City, and look ahead to a massive FA Trophy Semi-Final away at Southport.Are Southend built to be a serious cup team?Can this squad handle the relentless March schedule?With Wembley on the horizon and league form still crucial, the Shrimpers are entering the most defining spell of the season.

The Custard Splat: In Conversation with Southend United Chairman Justin ReesThis is the big one.In our most in-depth episode to date, we sit down with Southend United Chairman Justin Rees for a proper, long-form conversation about the future of the football club.With the takeover completed in 2024 and COSU now firmly in control, this episode tackles the questions supporters have been asking around sustainability, promotion, infrastructure, governance and long-term ambition.Chapters🧭 The Five-Year PlanWhen did the clock actually start?What does year five realistically look like?Is promotion built into that timeline?And what does “success” mean inside the boardroom?🏛 COSU & GovernanceHow does the consortium actually operate behind the scenes?Who leads on finance, commercial, infrastructure and football matters?How is investment structured within COSU?And what governance protections are in place?⚽ Director of Football & Football StructureWhy is a Director of Football being explored?What would that role bring?And what would success look like in year one?💰 Budgets, Sustainability & Financial OversightWe discuss the wider National League budget debate (including comparisons with Forest Green Rovers) and what financial sustainability really means for Southend United.What position did COSU inherit?Where does the club stand financially today?What safeguards protect potential Fossett’s Farm development funds?This is about building properly - not just spending loudly.⚖️ Ambition vs Sustainability: Getting The Balance RightHow do you take supporters on the journey of balancing the books after years of financial mismanagement?Is being a sustainable National League club the platform for long-term success in the EFL?How do you avoid repeating past mistakes while still chasing promotion?🏗 Fossett’s Farm & The East StandWhat’s the realistic timeline?How connected are the two projects?What happens if timelines shift?And practically speaking - with 7,000 average home supporters - how would matchdays function during redevelopment?🚻 Roots Hall & Matchday ExperienceFrom facilities to phased improvements - how does the long-term vision align with the week-to-week supporter experience?🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.

Recorded inside Roots Hall the boys are back in the same room together for the first time in what feels like months.We break down a hugely professional 3-0 win away at Brackley, another goal for Tom Hopper, and the now inevitable “GSM doing GSM things” moment - because at this point, Gus Scott-Morriss scoring is basically law.We also address something that’s been brewing for a while. The reaction to Hopper earlier in the season, the boos, the silence, and what real support actually looks like when a player is struggling. With Southend United back in the National League play-off places, we look at the table, the momentum building, and what this run-in could become.We’re recording this pre Boreham Wood… you’re listening post Boreham Wood. So if we sound clever (or not), that’s on timing.Plus, we tease our upcoming conversation with Chairman Justin Rees.Up the Splat

Southend United 5-1 Morecambe. Five goals. Five different scorers. In Episode 36 of The Custard Splat, Scott W and Scott B react to Southend United’s dominant 5-1 win over Morecambe... arguably the most complete National League performance of the season so far.We break down:• GSM and Harry Boyes proving exactly why the wingback system works (Oli, you’ll have your right of reply 👀)• A huge moment for Tom Hopper as he scores his first goal of the 2025/26 campaign• Why the reaction from his teammates says everything about his standing in the squad• Whether this result finally signals momentum ahead of BrackleySadie is back on the pod too and she’s wearing all the hats.Mum.Sister.Marketing Director.Entrepreneur.And now a key figure in the new HER Soccer Academy.A fresh, confident and unapologetically loud voice in women’s football... and football in general.We talk about the upcoming Southend United Women vs Colchester fixture in May, the new mascot drawing initiative, the growing engagement from groups of young girls, and why visibility matters.Women don’t want preferential treatment in football.They want equal treatment.And here’s the thing, Sadie is just as passionate about the men’s game as she is about the women’s. This isn’t about division. It’s about growth.And don’t forget - we’ll be sitting down with chairman Justin Rees next week. Send us your sensible questions.If you follow Southend United, the National League, or care about the growth of football at every level - this episode is for you.Follow, subscribe and share the Splat.Up the Shrimpers.

Southend United’s game at Aldershot was called off just 95 minutes before kick-off and fans were already on the road.In this episode of The Custard Splat, Scott and Oli react to another National League postponement, discuss the communication around waterlogged pitches, and break down the brutal reality of Southend now facing 15 games in 49 days.What does this fixture congestion mean for the Shrimpers’ season, squad fitness, and playoff hopes? And how can the process improve for supporters?If you were travelling to Aldershot, we want to hear from you.

How much does promotion actually cost?Forest Green Rovers have published their numbers and they’re eye-watering.£6.5 million a year on wages alone. Championship-level spending.And here’s the mad bit…Despite all that? They’re right there with us in the same play-off fight.So it got us thinking:Is throwing money at a league the smart way to get out of it?Or is building sustainably, backing good recruitment, culture and togetherness actually the better long-term play?We chat through:What £6.5m wages really means at this levelWhy budgets don’t always equal successThe difference between “buying” promotion vs earning itWhere Southend sit in the picture financiallyAnd whether patience + sustainability might actually win the raceA proper reality check on what we’re up against and why maybe we’re doing things the right way.Because if money guaranteed promotion… the table would look very different.

It’s been a tough week for The Shrimpers. A breathless 3–3 draw with Boston United, followed by a late defeat at the hands of Rochdale, has seen Southend slip out of the play-off places and you can feel the mood dip across the fanbase.In this episode we get into what those results really mean, how fragile momentum feels right now, and whether patience is wearing thin.The big question: if COSU are serious about promotion this season, will they back it with investment - or are we expected to make do?

We touch on the Bring Back the Splat campaign and why identity and heritage still matter at Southend United, before diving into the club’s “Draw Her Into the Game” campaign and the launch of Southend’s first-ever female mascot.On the pitch, we review the draw at York City and the impressive 4–1 win over Eastleigh, then look ahead to a brutal run of five consecutive away games, starting with Boston United.We finish by shouting out the Southend United U18s, who take on Wrexham tonight at Roots Hall in the FA Youth Cup.Up the Splat