BBC Essex commentator returns the mic after 35 years

Nick Alliker was presented with a special shirt at Roots Hall on Saturday

A local radio broadcaster will return to his beloved club as a fan after 35 years covering the same team.

Nick Alliker, 55, made his final matchday broadcast at Southend United's Roots Hall ground on Saturday.

He was presented with a special "Nick 35" shirt on the pitch by the Blues' head coach, Kevin Maher.

"It's been a wonderful run of covering the Blues through various divisions and competitions, and I've loved every minute of it," Mr Alliker said.

Mr Alliker, who is from Southend, will continue to work as a news journalist with BBC Essex but says he will always be a Shrimpers supporter.

He first stepped into the press box in December 1988 with the independent broadcaster Essex Radio, although Southend lost 3-0 to Wigan in that game.

He continued behind the lip mic when he joined the BBC in 2001 and estimated that he had commentated on about 1,400 Southend United fixtures.

• Winding-up petition adjourned ahead of club sale

• Houses decision could net £20m for Southend United

• Ron Martin expects Southend United to be sold by mid-May

He said he had decided to stop covering football for personal reasons but would keep working as a BBC Essex newsreader.

Mr Alliker said he had worked with about a dozen managers over the years, including David Webb, Barry Fry and Sol Campbell.

His best "Jupp to wrap it up" commentary moment described Duncan Jupp's clincher in a 2-0 League Two play-off final against Lincoln in 2005.

"It's been a real privilege to share so many, many moments of Southend United history with the radio audience," he said.

"I have always been a fan... I will always support them."

Southend United is set to be sold to a consortium headed by Australian businessman Justin Rees

Southend lost their final match of the season 2-1 to Rochdale to finish ninth in the National League - the fifth tier of English football.

The club has had repeated financial difficulties in recent years.

But Mr Alliker said the future could be brighter, adding that he hoped Southend would secure promotion and return to the Football League next season.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [e-mail] or WhatsApp [phone]