YOUTH football clubs with strong connections to the Blues are feeling a Wembley bounce.

Youngsters inspired by Southend United playing Crewe Alexandra at the home of English football on Sunday, April 7, are flocking to sign up at clubs across south Essex.

More teen players are turning up for training in Blues strips, match day fixtures have been cancelled and some clubs have organised coaches to take players and parents for the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Mark Holmes, secretary of Leigh Ramblers FC, said: “They see that their local club has made it to a Wembley final and they want to emulate that.

“We have got a lot of boys join the Southend academy from our club and see that anyone can play there.”

The Southend and District Junior Sunday League and South East Essex Primary League have said teams can re-arrange fixtures so youngsters can watch their sporting heroes in the historic match.

The Ramblers have booked four coaches to take about 200 fans to the game.

Mr Holmes, 48, of Bohemia Chase, Leigh, said: “We could have kept going and going but coaches were limited.

“I think most of the town is going!”

About 80 members of Rayleigh FC, who get season tickets through the club, and four of the committee are among those heading to London.

Southend striker Neil Harris is a coach at the club, south Essex’s largest.

Chairman Martin Shields said: “We have seen an upsurge in interest.

“They are the local club. Among the 450 kids at training you still see Chelsea, Arsenal and Man U, but there are a lot of Southend United shirts.”

Martin Terry, chairman of Southend-based Ecko Whitecaps FC, said: “We have seen an upsurge in interest.

“Despite the poor weather recently we seen more and new faces at training.

“When they see their local team being so successful it registers with them.”