TikToker to host fanzone at Wembley final

A TikToker said he was "absolutely buzzing" to have been invited to host a fanzone during the National League play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

Alexis Cassar said he would be interviewing fans and former Southend United players at Boxpark Wembley when the Blues meet Oldham Athletic on Sunday.

The Essex club confirmed the partnership with the social media star on its own TikTok account.

"I'm absolutely buzzing but a bit nervous, though, because on my TikTok I can cut things… here, people will really see the real me," said the 26-year-old, whose videos showcasing his love of Leigh-on-Sea have attracted millions of views.

Up to 50,000 fans will travel to Wembley for the match, which will mark the end of a turbulent few years for Blues fans who have backed their team through financial turmoil and the threat of extinction.

Alexis told BBC Essex: "I think it's fair to say I don't think any Southend supporter thought they'd be in this position at the start of the year, even mid-way through the year.

"I think we can go to Wembley with nothing to lose."

Alexis said he had been "manifesting" tickets for Sunday's clash after failing to secure a seat.

The matchday capacity was initially limited because of the closure of Wembley Park Tube station for engineering works.

When the Shrimpers first got in touch, he "thought it would be filming something at Roots Hall… but for some reason I knew I'd end up at Wembley on Sunday".

The content creator said he started posting videos on TikTok about 18 months ago and documented a trip to Thailand earlier this year.

Things "just fell into place" when he returned to Essex with his videos amassing 1.7 million likes.

He said he filmed a lot of content in Leigh-on-Sea, which he called LOS, because it was "probably one of the best places in Essex, if not the best place".

"A few people started saying LOS to me when I walked past them, and I was like, 'right, I'm the LOS man now, that's me'."

Asked about the future, he said he had no plans to leave his career in finance, adding: "There's no end goal. Let's just keep seeing where things go, inspiring people and making people laugh."

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