By Nathan Jackson
May 8 2005

Southend United were the team who many saw going up automatically but then a 17 game unbeaten run collasped with a defeat in the LDV Vans Trophy final against Wrexham. Since, they've only won once and collasped out of the automatic promotion picture but will be many people's favourites to go up.

Team Manager : Steve Tilson

Average Crowd : 6,077 (Highest : 11,735 vs Yeovil Town, Lowest : 3753)

Goalscoring Habits : Dividing the game into 15 minute periods, Southed scored their most goals in the 15-30 and 45-60 (both 13 goals). Most goals have come against Southend have come in the final 15 minutes (12 goals). 30 goals for Southend came from shots, 20 headers, 7 volleys,, 6 penalties and 2 free kicks. Goals against have come from 26 shots, 12 headers, 6 volleys and 2 penalties

Biggest Wins : Oxford (4-0)

Biggest Defeats : Darlington (0-4)

Top Goalscorer : Freddy Eastwood (19)

Record against fellow promotion teams : 4 wins, 2 draws

Turning Point of the Season - Signing Freddy Eastwood before the game against Swansea. Before this game, they lacked a major goalscorer and although they were 11th, they looked to be heading for a safe midtable finish.

Three most relevant facts to the playoffs

1. Haven't lost to any of their playoff rivals
2. Have scored more goals than any other playoff team with 65 goals, Lincoln scored 64, Northampton 62 and Macclesfield 60.
3. Conceeded the fewest goals out of all the 4 teams with 46, Lincoln conceeded 47, Macclesfield 49 and Northampton 51.

Playoff Campaign Records

Southend have never been in the playoffs.

Last time in League 1 (Division 2) : 1997/8