Southend United will be donating match tickets to future games for key NHS staff who are bravely fighting the coronavirus pandemic currently affecting so many across the country.

Following Brighton and Hove Albion’s call for other Premier League, EFL, Scottish and Northern Irish clubs to follow suit in ring-fencing tickets for front-line workers, Blues have wholeheartedly committed to giving Hospital, Ambulance, Carers and new NHS staff and volunteers complimentary tickets, with more to be planned around their visits in the coming weeks and months.

Bosses say, at times like these football can really be a force for good and by celebrating the men and women working tirelessly at this difficult time, we hope to show our appreciation as a football club for the amazing work that is going on in hospitals, care homes and the like up and down the country.

Blues’ Ticket Office Manager, Gavin Preston, was delighted to announce the scheme which he said will hopefully go some way in showing just how appreciated their efforts are.

He said: "In these unprecedented times, we are honoured to be able to do our bit in recognising those who are doing all they can to help others.

"We look forward to welcoming these heroes to matches in the future and saying thank you".