Former Southend United manager Phil Brown has stated the club must leave its current stadium, Roots Hall, to have any realistic chance of reaching the Championship. Brown made the comments as the current Blues side sits second in the National League with a perfect record of three wins from three games.
Brown managed Southend during two separate spells. His first tenure saw the club achieve promotion to what is now League One via the play-offs. They then narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs on the final day of a season. He acknowledges the financial backing he received then was substantial for that level, but notes the gulf to the second tier is now immense. "When I was there, there was a big expectancy level," Brown said.
Brown pinpointed the stadium's condition as a major barrier to progress. He described Roots Hall as being in a dilapidated state and falling apart during his time. This, he argues, deters the significant investment required to compete at a higher level. "There’s a lot of people willing to put money into football clubs but the downside for Southend was that the ground was in a dilapidated state," Brown explained. Plans for a new stadium under previous chairman Ron Martin never materialised, leaving the club at a crossroads.
The financial landscape has shifted dramatically. Brown's budget in League One was likely between £1.5m and £2m, which he admits was probably too large. He contrasts that with the minimum £10-12m needed for a Championship campaign today, a figure that has only grown. Securing such investment while based at the current Roots Hall is, in his view, nearly impossible.
Ownership has changed hands since Brown's era. A consortium led by Justin Rees now controls Southend United, with former player Kieron Dyer installed as manager. The immediate focus is on the pitch, where the team has made a flawless start to the 2026/27 campaign. They are second in the table with nine points, having scored seven goals and conceded just two. They trail leaders Boreham Wood by a single point in the early title race.
The club's current plan involves redeveloping Roots Hall itself, including building a brand new East Stand. This represents a different approach from the previously proposed relocation. However, Brown remains sceptical that redevelopment alone can provide the platform for a sustained push towards the Championship.
Phil Brown's assessment is clear. He believes the absolute best Southend can hope for if they remain at Roots Hall is a stable position in League One. To genuinely aim for the Championship, a move to a new stadium is necessary to attract fresh, large-scale investment. He concedes that if the team, under Dyer, achieves promotion to League Two this season, that is an appropriate level for the club in its current circumstances.
The immediate priority is maintaining the strong on-field form. With three wins from three, the squad will look to continue this momentum. Brown's comments highlight a long-term strategic challenge that the new ownership must eventually address, even as the team enjoys a promising start to the season.
