Blues had a Clarets fan seeing red when the Southend United's football bus went to Chelmsford.

Diehard Chelmsford City fan Basil Monk was furious when he saw the Shrimpers' roadshow set up in Chelmsford High Street on Tuesday.

The 73-year-old was "incensed" because City's temporary move back to the county town's Melbourne Stadium was on hold and the Doctor Marten's Premier club were still ground sharing at Billericay Town's New Lodge home.

All aboard - Southend United's Brett Williams (back) with HSBC staff Diana Metaal and Peter Collins plus Blue fans Sean Rainforth (left), Melissa Roberts and Chris Ramsey in Rayleigh yesterday Picture: ROB BROWNE

"I think it was insensitive to let the bus come here," said Mr Monk, of Godfrey Mews, Chelmsford, who has been a Clarets fan since1948.

"We are without our own ground at present and have been since 1996. It was like rubbing salt into the wound."

Mr Monk said he was going to complain to Chelmsford Council for giving the Seasiders permission for the roadshow to be stationed in the town centre street.

But Brett Williams, commercial sales officer for Southend United, said the roadshow was in the same location for a day last year.

"We go around in the summer holidays promoting the club in Essex," he explained.

"I can't understand what all the fuss is about. We are a League team and not a rival of Chelmsford City.

"The man seemed upset because Chelmsford do not have a ground, but he was all right and had his picture taken with a couple of our cheerleaders."

A Chelmsford Council spokesman said any organisation could apply for permission to stage promotional events and as long as it met the criteria, there was not a problem.

The roadshow has been run by Blues for the last few years and was in Rayleigh High Street yesterday, where summer striking signing Drewe Broughton was on hand to sign autographs.

Published Thursday, July 31, 2003

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