By Chris Phillips
Chief sports reporter
@cjphillips1982
SOUTHEND United have become the first football club in the country to have a bench designed to help mental health sufferers installed at their stadium.
Fans funded for two ‘legends on the bench’ designs to be put in place at Roots Hall with two more still to come nearby.
And Andy Leeder - who organises Southend United’s Ex-Players Association on behalf of the Shrimpers Trust - was proud to play a part in the benches being unveiled in memory of ex Blues skipper Chris Barker.
“This is all in Chris’ name after what he did for the club and sadly passed away in 2020 so it means a lot,” said Leeder.
“It’s been a real combined effort from the fans too.
“Southend is a real community club and the community has come together to fund the benches.”
One bench now sits opposite the club shop at the ground while the other is close to the entrance for the West Stand.
The unveiling was attended by Sean Clohessy who played alongside Chris Barker at Blues and former Tottenham Hotspur favourite Micky Hazard who is an ambassador for ‘legend on the bench’ charity.
“The charity is a suicide prevention charity,” explained Hazard.
“It was set up by my sister Michelle whose 23-year-old son killed himself and she found him.
"She was obviously devastated and set up a charity to leave a legacy behind for Jay.
“She came up with this wonderful idea.
“They light up throughout the night and they have plaques on them with telephone numbers of groups who can offer support.”
And Hazard was also full of praise for Blues.
“This is the first bench we’ve unveiled at any football club,” said Hazard.
“We’re very honoured to have installed our first at Southend in memory of Chris Barker.
"It was beautiful listening to everyone speak and to have enough funds for four benches is just amazing.”
