Fifteen years after he hung up his boots for Southend United, midfielder Ronnie Poutney is getting his testimonial at Roots Hall.

Ronnie made 403 appearances for the Shrimpers and netted 35 goals for the club in a career that spanned just over ten years.

Now a group of fans and the club will be honouring his long service on Tuesday night when Blues play Charlton Athletic, kick-off 7.45pm.

Getting the evening rolling will be a showpiece match between a Southend United veterans team and the London All Stars at 6.30pm.

Admission for both matches is £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.

Ronnie was born on March 19, 1955, in Bilston and was named after England and West Bromwich Albion favourite Ronnie Allen.

He had soccer trials with Walsall and Port Vale before playing one league game for The Saddlers.

But then Ronnie settled into home town club, non-leaguers Bilston.

It was from the west Midlands side that the Seasiders signed Ronnie for £1,000 on January 13, 1975.

Blues manager Arthur Rowley brought Ronnie to Roots Hall and the pair struck up a strong relationship.

That closeness with the gaffer continued when Dave Smith took over in the hotseat, with Ronnie becoming an ever-present in Smith's line-ups.

The end of Ronnie's career with the Shrimpers came with the arrival of West Ham and England legend Bobby Moore in 1984 as manager.

Not figuring in Moore's plans, Ronnie was given a free transfer in July 1985 and moved on to non-league Chelmsford City.

He went on to play for several non-league sides in Essex and Kent, including Basildon United, and now has his own painting and decorating business.

Ronnie was originally granted a testimonial match against West Ham but the game never took place because of fixture clash by the Hammers.

Attempts to revive the fixture in 1998 also failed.

"It is nothing short of a scandal that Ronnie has not benefited from a testimonial match," said a spokesman for the testimonial committee.

"So a group of avid Southend supporters decided towards the end of last season that the time was right to right that wrong.

"The new owner of Southend United have also recognised this.

"During his 11-season playing career with Southend United, on average Ronnie earned less than £20,000 a season in today's money.

"Compare that to what mediocre lower division players can earn these days or Roy Keane's weekly pay cheque!" added the spokesman

"Ronnie was unswervingly loyal to Southend United and never earned the cut of transfers fees or signing on bonuses that other players who came and went did."

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