One player determined to make the most of the Wembley experience is prolific defender Gus Scott-Morriss.
The right-back scored the crucial spot-kick that beat Forest Green on penalties after Southend had equalised four minutes from the end of extra time to force the shootout.
Reflecting on his match-winning moment, Scott-Morriss – who has scored an incredible 17 times this season – said the realisation of reaching Wembley soon hit him.
“I’ve never played there before and when the penalties went in, that’s the first thing I thought of,” he said.
Having been at the club for three years and playing full-time for the first time, Scott-Morriss has directly experienced Southend’s off-field hardships.
“It’s been a real rollercoaster ride since I’ve been here,” he told BBC Look East.
“Nothing’s really been plain sailing – even this season, so there’s that real connection with the fans.
“We could have been knocked out quite easily twice [in the play-offs] – even the Gateshead game was like a play-off game, we knew it was do or die and we got the job done.
“I couldn’t have dreamed of playing at Wembley three or four years ago. I’m excited for the challenge and, hopefully, it’ll be one to savour for the future.”
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