A Gillingham fan has criticised safety at Southend United Football Club after his son was hit by a ‘flare’.

The dad contacted the club at the weekend after the object - thought to be a flare or a smoke bomb - hit his seven-year-old son at Roots Hall during the game on Saturday, leaving a blue stain.

He posted on Twitter: “His top is ruined. How I’m not at the hospital right now I don’t know. Why no checks on the turnstile?”

The dad, who helps run Medway United youth football club, later tweeted to say he was not searched when he went into the ground and others around him weren’t either.

Blue smoke bombs were seen going off in the away end of the stadium at the start of the game.

Keith Baker, the dedicated football officer at Southend United FC, said a Gillingham supporter was arrested trying to enter the ground with a pyro and CCTv footage is being reviewed.

A spokesman for Gillingham FC said: “In accordance with EFL rules, we urge fans not to attempt to bring any prohibited items into the MEMS Priestfield Stadium or away grounds.

"A full list of such items can be found on the club website.”

A spokesman for Southend United declined to comment.