Southend Football Club
1906 - 1949
Organised
football
in
the
Borough
of
Southend-on-Sea
really
started
taking
hold
in
the
late
1890s.
Clubs
such
as
Southend
Victoria,
Southend Amateurs, Southend Corinthians, Southend Ramblers and even Southend Wesleyans were on the local scene at this time.
A
team
called
Southend
United
were
recorded
as
early
as
1898
but
it
is
not
known
where
they
played.
One
thing
is
for
sure
is
that
they
are
in
no
way
related
to
our
club.
At
the
same
time
over
at
Marine
Park,
which
incorporated
a
football
pitch
among
its
attractions, Southend-on-Sea Football Club were establishing a reputation as a top amateur side.
The
clubs'
colours
were
white
shirts
and
blue
'knickers'.
By
1900
this
side
has
changed
its
name
to
Southend
Athletic,
and
although
Marine
Park
was
later
to
become
The
Kursaal,
Athletics’
ground
was
radically
different
to
the
one
occupied
by
Southend
United
in
their early Football League days.
It
consisted
of
a
railed
off
pitch
surrounded
by
a
'trotting’
track
and
a
large
pavilion
with
absolutely
no
spectator
accommodation.
Also,
during
1900
a
new
pitch
was
laid
out
adjacent
to
the
large
property
in
Victoria
Avenue
called
Roots
Hall.
Ironically
one
of
the
first
teams
to
stage
games
there
was
Southend
Athletic.
However,
the
face
of
football
in
the
Borough
was
to
change
forever
following
a
meeting
held
in
the
Blue
Boar
Public House on May 19th, 1906.
It
is
well
documented
that
Southend
United
were
formed
at
this
meeting
convened
by
landlord
Oliver
Trigg
and a band of fellow enthusiasts.
The
fledgling
club
usurped
the
prominence
of
the
established
Southend
Athletic
club,
who
were
to
disband
soon
after,
and
gained
election
to
the
professional
Southern
League
Second
Division.
Their
opponents
were
mainly
reserve
teams
but
also
included
the
likes
of
Hastings
and
St
Leonards,
Tunbridge
Wells
Rangers
and
Salisbury
City.
The
Southern
League
Division
Two
title
was
won
twice
in
succession
in
the
club's
first
two
seasons.
Bob
Jack's
side,
led
by
goal
machine
Harold
Halse
and
the
mercurial
inside
forward
Prince
Blott,
lost
only
five
matches
in
that
time.
In
later
Southern
League
campaigns
The
Blues
were
forced
on
long
trips
to
deepest
Wales
to
fulfil
fixtures
against
the
likes
of
Mardy,
Treharris
and
Mid
Rhondda.
The
FA
Cup
was
entered
for
the
first
time
in
1907
with
a
match
against
East
Ham.
Early
ties
included
games
against
long
lost
teams
such
as
London
Caledonians,
Walthamstow
Grange,
Southend
Amateurs,
Custom
House
and
the
4th
Kings Royal Rifles.
The
First
World
War
intervened,
and
Roots
Hall’s
fixtures
and
fittings
were
sold
off
and
the
ground
requisitioned
for
allotments
to
aid
the
war
effort.
The
wooden
200
seater
stand
that
had
been
erected
on
the
east
side
of
the
ground
by
a
local
firm,
Ducat's,
was
dismantled
with
the
wood
being
given
to
a
local
timber
yard
whose
buildings
had
been
damaged
by
enemy
bombs.
When
hostilities
ceased
and
football
resumed
in
1919
the
Roots
Hall
site
was
deemed
unusable
and
Southend
United's
only
option
was
to
move
across
town
to
the
former
Marine
Park,
now
known
as
The
Kursaal.
In
1920
the
Southern
League
clubs,
including
Southend
United,
were
elected
en
bloc
to
form
the
new
Third
Division
of
the
Football
League.
A
year
later
this
became
the
Third
Division
South
as
a
northern
section
had
also
been
introduced.
The
honour
of
scoring
Southend’s first ever goal in the Football League fell to Albert Fairclough.
Despite
having
to
apply
for
re-election
to
the
League
in
only
the
second
season,
the
Shrimpers
really
progressed
when
Ted
Birnie
became
manager
in
January
1922.
He
turned
a
mid
table
club
into
one
that
challenged
for
promotion,
though
he
never
managed
to
get the club into the Second Division.
Prominent
players
in
the
Birnie
era
were
Jim
McClelland
who
was
sold
to
Middlesbrough
for
a
sizeable
fee,
Billy
Hick
and
Jimmy
Shankly,
older
brother
of
Bill
Shankly.
One
of
the
most
notable
matches
in
this
period
was
the
4-1
trouncing
of
Second
Division
leaders Derby County in the FA Cup 4th round at The Kursaal.
Ted
Birnie’s
departure
at
the
end
of
the
1933/34
season
after
twelve
years
ushered
in
a
new
era
at
the
club.
The
Blues
moved
across
town
to
the
Southend
Stadium
in
Grainger
Road,
which
was
primarily
a
greyhound
racing
track,
albeit
with
a
larger
capacity
than
The
Kursaal.
The
old
ground
was
demolished
within
two
years
of
vacation.
The
new
start
also
saw
David
Jack,
son
of
Bob
Jack,
Southend’s
first
manager,
take
over
the
team.
He
had
been
the
pre-eminent
player
of
the
time,
having
captained
England
and
winning
many
honours with Bolton and Arsenal.
The
team
struggled
along
in
mid-table
under
Jack
although
The
Blues
gave
Tottenham
Hotspur
a
fright
in
the
FA
Cup
of
1935/6,
drawing
a
dramatic
game
4-4
at
White
Hart
Lane.
The
replay
at
the
Stadium
was
lost
2-1
but
the
crowd
of
23,634
was
a
new
club
record.
Among
Southend’s
best
players
of
the
1930s
were
Len
Bolan,
Billy
Moore,
Leo
Stevens
and
Irish
internationals
George
McKenzie
and
Charlie Turner.
The
1939/40
season
was
abandoned
after
just
three
games
after
the
outbreak
of
war
with
Germany.
David
Jack
was
called
to
London
to
work
in
a
bank
and
after
the
war
took
up
the
manager’s
job
at
Middlesbrough.
Southend
was
a
restricted
area
and
the
team
had
to
relocate
to
Chelmsford
City’s
New
Writtle
Street
ground.
City’s
manager
became
manager
of
both
sides,
although
in
war
time
matches
the
Southend side was effectively a combined side anyway.
Warren
stayed
as
manager
of
Southend
when
the
Blues
returned
to
The
Stadium
for
the
1946/47
campaign.
He
had
put
together
a
useful,
free
scoring
side
and
in
that
first
season
Cyril
Thompson,
Frank
Dudley,
Harry Lane and Alf Smirk all hit double figures for goals.
The
club
suffered
a
blip
in
the
1948/49
season
finishing
fourth
bottom
of
the
table
and
narrowly
missing
the
dreaded
re-election
vote.
Warren
had
pulled
off
a
master-stroke
that
season
though,
signing
Irish
midfield
maestro
Jimmy
McAlinden
who
was
to
prove
to
be
the
fulcrum
of
the
team
for
several
seasons.
The
following
campaign
with
“Jimmy
Mac”
in
imperious
form
saw
the
Shrimpers
challenging
for
promotion
all
season.
However,
a
disastrous
run
of
no
wins
in
the
last
four
games
saw
the
team
miss
out
finishing
third
behind
Notts
County and Northampton Town.
The Fifties
Southend
United
headed
into
the
1950s
with
the
considerable
optimism
that
gripped
post-War
Britain.
In
April
1950
Sandy
Anderson
joined
the
club
from
Newburgh
Juniors
and
became
a
defensive
stalwart
for
12
seasons.
He
made
452
league
appearances
for
the
Blues;
no
man
has
played
more.
His
overall
total
of
483
matches
was
only beaten in the 1980s by Alan Moody.
Crowds
soared
and
under
the
consistent,
long-term
management
of
Harry
Warren,
the
Blues
entered
a
period
where
high
scoring
matches
were
a
regular
occurrence.
At
the
Stadium
in
February
1951,
Southend
found
themselves
2-0
down
to
Swindon
Town
early
in
a
game.
It
was
down
to
inspirational
captain,
Jimmy
McAlinden,
that
the
team
galvanised
themselves,
completely
swamping
the
visitors
and
winning
by
eight
goals
to two.
A
season
later
the
FA
Cup
proved
a
highlight
with
an
impressive
run
to
the
fifth
round.
Bournemouth,
Oldham,
Southampton
and
Bristol
Rovers
had
been
dispatched
in
the
previous
rounds
with
sixteen
goals
being
scored.
A
crowd
of
nearly
22,000
gathered
at
the
Stadium
for
the
visit
of
Second
Division
Sheffield
United.
Despite
taking
the
lead
through
Albert
Wakefield,
the
Shrimpers
bowed
out
of the competition by a score of 2-1.
Oliver
Trigg
-
Landord
at the Blue Boar
Bob
Jack
-
Blues’
First
Manager
Blues Squad 1934/35
Blues Squad 1946/47
Sandy Anderson
Jack French scores an FA Cup goal vs. Bristol Rovers
In
this
season
both
Jack
French
and
Les
Stubbs
were
selected
for
an
Olympic
Trial
match
at
Highbury.
Both
Southend
men
scored
in
the
game.
Stubbs
would
join
Chelsea
for
a
not
inconsiderable
fee
at
the
time
of
£10,000.
Towards
the
end
of
the
1953/54
a
heartfelt
standing
ovation
at
the
Stadium
saw
Southend
say
goodbye
to
its
retiring
captain,
Jimmy
McAlinden.
In
February
1953
Warren
signed
a
gangly,
skinny
centre
forward
from
Tottenham
Hotspur
reserves.
The
signing
of
Roy
Hollis
was
a
master
stroke
as
he
went
on
to
score
135
goals
in
six years with the Blues. His record tally still stands today.
Les Stubbs
Southend United 1954/55 season. Roy Hollis is in the middle of the bottom row
The
1955/56
campaign
was
to
prove
one
of
the
most
pivotal
in
the
club’s
history.
After
21
years
at
the
largely
unpopular
Southend
Stadium
the
Blues
moved
into
their
new
home.
The
new
Roots
Hall
had
been
built
entirely
by
internal
labour
with
Sid
Broomfield
leading
a
small
band
of
men
to
build
the
stadium
we
know
and
love
today.
The
entire
cost
of
the
stadium,
save
for
a
small
grant
from
the
Football
Association,
was
met
by
the
Supporters Club and their extensive fund-raising programme.
The
opening
day
fixture
against
Norwich
City
attracted
17,700
to
the
new
stadium,
built
on
the
site
of
the
old
Roots
Hall
ground
the
club
had
used
between
1906
and
1915.
The
move
had
the
desired
effect,
home
league
crowds averaged in excess of 10,000, some 2,500 up on the last campaign at Grainger Road.
The
season
ended
on
a
low
however
when
after
sixteen
years
in
charge
of
the
club
Harry
Warren
left
for
an
ill-
fated
spell
at
Coventry
City.
Welshman
Eddie
Perry
took
over
at
the
helm
and
failed
to
win
any
of
his
first
ten
games
in
charge.
However,
he
steadied
the
ship
and
guided
the
club
to
three
top
ten
finishes
in
Division
Three
without ever really challenging for promotion.
It
was
a
shame
that
promotion
could
not
be
achieved
as
Southend
boasted
some
excellent
players
in
this
era.
Arthur
Williamson,
a
consistent
Scottish
full
back
who
played
in
a
record
229
consecutive
matches
for
the
club.
There
were
also
the
likes
of
Sam
McCrory
who
was
capped
by
Northern
Ireland,
John
McGuigan,
Jimmy
Stirling
and
Lou
Costello.
Eccentric
goalkeeper
Harry
Threadgold
was
a
crowd
favourite
although
the
advent
of
floodlights
at
Roots
Hall
in
1959
would
restrict
his
appearances as he claimed he struggled to see the ball under their glare.
Eddie
Perry
would
leave
his
post
at
the
club
in
February
1960
so
the
Blues
would
enter the new decade looking for a new manager.
Programme
from
the
first
game
at
the
new
Roots Hall
Training session at the new Roots Hall
The Sixties
With
Eddie
Perry
leaving
Southend
United
as
manager
in
February
1960,
the
club
finished
the
campaign
with
Chairman
Major
Alf
Hay
selecting
the
team.
The
club
finished
in
a
disappointing
mid-table
position
although
Duggie Price enjoyed a very successful campaign, claiming 28 league goals in 41 games.
For
the
first
season
of
the
new
decade,
the
club
appointed
Frank
Broome
as
manager.
He
had
a
decent
pedigree
as
a
winger
with
Aston
Villa
and
England
and
had
cut
his
managerial
teeth
at
Exeter.
The
board
only
offered
him
a
week
to
week
contract
though
and
restricted
him
to
just
five
new
players
in
the
close
season.
Prolific
scorer
Roy
Hollis
had
moved
on
and
Broome
replaced
him
with
Jim
Fryatt.
However,
Broome
did
land
a
brilliant
signing
in
young outside-left John McKinven from Raith Rovers. He would thrill Roots Hall for the best part of a decade.
Major Alf Hay MBE
Southend United 1960/61
Broome’s
tenure
however
was
markedly
shorter,
by
Christmas
he
was
gone.
Major
Hay
took
the
reigns
again
until
the
club
secured
the
services
of
Ted
Fenton
towards
the
end
of
the
season.
The
team
finished
20th
in
the
table missing out on relegation to Division Four by a single point.
After
the
controversy
of
white
home
shirts
for
the
previous
two
seasons
the
club
reverted
to
blue
shirts
for
the
1961/62
season,
albeit
with
a
white
pinstripe.
Tony
Bentley,
who
would
spend
twelve
years
with
the
club,
joined
from
Stoke
City.
The
Blues
would
improve
steadily
under
Fenton
and
in
the
1962/3
campaign,
despite
the
worst
winter
weather
on
record,
climbed
to
a
respectable
eighth
in
the
final
table,
Ken
Jones
top
scored
for
the
second
season running.
Despite
an
influx
of
new
players
for
the
1963/4
season
in
the
form
of
Jimmy
Conway,
Benny
Friel,
Bobby
Gilfillan,
Bobby
King
and
Malcolm
Slater
the
Blues
struggled
to
gel
and
finished
in
the
bottom
half.
A
poor
season
was
highlighted
by
an
FA
Cup
first
round
exit
at
the
hands
of
non-league
Yeovil
Town.
The
club
also
finished the season with significant debts of £42,000 with gates down by an average of 1,500 people per game.
Fenton
left
the
club
at
the
end
of
the
1964/5
campaign,
another
mid
table
finish
resulted
in
the
board
deciding
on
fresh
ideas.
The
new
man
at
the
helm
was
fiery
Welshman
Alvan
Williams,
a
man
who
in
later
life
would
be
charged
with
attempted
murder
of
a
young
man
outside
the
public
house
he
ran.
He
had
coached
Bangor
City
to
a
famous
European
Cup-Winners
Cup
run.
He
spent
a
club
record
fee
of
£10,000
on
bringing
Italian
international
Eddie
Firmani
to
Roots
Hall
from
Charlton
Athletic.
Firmani’s
wage
packet
would
divide
the
dressing
room
and
it
became
a
disastrous
campaign.
In
November,
the
club
lost
9-1
at
the
Goldstone
Ground
against
Brighton,
their
worst
ever
Football
League
defeat.
It
was
a
hopeless
cause,
and
the
club
were
relegated
for the first time since their Southern League days.
The
club
stuck
with
Williams,
tightened
its
belt
further,
and
a
tiny
squad
launched
into
a
first
season
in
the
fourth
tier.
The
club
faired
reasonably
well
but
shocking
away
form
meant
the
club
never
really
stood
a
chance
of
a
promotion
place.
Firmani
was
sold
back
to
Charlton
in
March
for
just
£2,000
and
a
month
later
Williams
decamped
to
Wrexham
amid
rumours
he
was
about
to
be
axed.
Assistant
Ernie
Shepherd
was
promoted
to
manager
and
the
board
backed
him
with
a
record
fee
of
£17,000
to
bring
Phil
Chisnall
to
Roots
Hall
from
Liverpool.
In
January
of
1968
Shepherd
again
went
to
the
board
asking
for
money
to
strengthen
his
team.
A
£3,000
fee
bought
a
Glaswegian
forward
to
the
club
from
Northampton
Town.
His
name
was
Billy
Best
and
would
become
a
hero to a generation at Southend.
Blues
looked
to
be
heading
for
promotion
in
the
1967/8
season
but
an
inexplicable
collapse
at
the
end
of
the
season,
that
produced
one
win
in
the
last
nine
games,
saw
Southend
finish
four
points
adrift
of
a
return
to
Division Three.
The
1968/69
was
a
dramatic
campaign,
again
Blues
challenged
for
promotion
under
Shepherd’s
guidance.
Billy
Best
and
Gary
Moore
forged
a
prolific
partnership
and
Ian
“Chico”
Hamilton,
and
Eddie
Clayton
would
also
reach
double
figures
of
goals.
It
should
have
been
enough
to
gain
promotion,
but
once
again
three
defeats
in
the
last four games saw the Blues finish five points short in the final reckoning.
The
FA
Cup
campaign,
however,
was
a
record
breaking
one
for
the
club
before
a
fourth
round
exit
at
the
hands
of
Mansfield
Town.
In
the
first
two
rounds
the
club
enjoyed
home
ties
against
non-league
opponents.
Kings
Lynn
were
dispatched
by
nine
goals
to
nil
with
Moore
and
Best
sharing
hat-tricks.
The
Shrimpers
went
one
better
in
round
two
defeating
Brentwood
Town
by
10-1
with
Best
hitting
five
and
Moore
four.
It
was
the
first
instance of consecutive hat-tricks by the same players in successive rounds of the competition.
Ted Fenton
Tony Bentley
Phil Chisnall
Billy Best
Southend United 1969/70
The
final
season
of
the
decade
proved
to
be
a
fragmented
campaign.
A
poor
start
to
the
season
saw
Ernie
Shepherd
admitting
to
being
on
the
verge
of
a
nervous
breakdown.
He
resigned
in
October
and
Geoff
Hudson
was
bought
in
as
manager.
He
lasted
just
13
League
matches,
which
produced
a
meagre
four
wins.
The
board
persuaded
Shepherd
to
hold
the
fort
again
while
they
looked
for
a
new
manager
yet
again.
The
man
they
chose
was
the
all
time
record
goalscorer
in
English
League
football,
Arthur
Rowley,
who
signed
a
deal
in
March
1970.
However,
despite
Billy
Best
netting
23
League
goals,
the
Blues
finished
in
a
miserable
17th
place
in
Division
Four. Surely things could only get better.
Southend Timeline Southend-on-Sea © 2009 - 2024. All Rights Reserved
By Peter Miles
Arrangement for publication: Dave Goody
The Seventies
Arthur
Rowley’s
first
full
season
in
charge
at
Roots
Hall
proved
to
be
a
spectacular
disappointment.
His
three
year
contract
with
the
club
came
with
one
of
the
highest
salaries
in
the
lower
divisions.
What
was
expected
to
be
a
promotion
contending
season
faltered
early
on,
the
Blues
winning
just
three
of
their
opening
thirteen
encounters.
Strangely
for
a
record
goalscorer
like
Rowley,
his
charges
mustered
only
seven
goals
in
that
run.
While
his
own
signings
took
time
to
settle,
it
was
Ernie
Shepherd’s
final
signing
that
caught
the
eye.
Young
winger,
Peter
Taylor,
a
£100
signing
from
Canvey
Island,
gained
some
rave
reviews
when
he
broke
into
the
team
towards
the
end
of
the
campaign.
Prolific
front
man
Billy
Best
top
scored
for
the
third
successive campaign.
In
the
build
up
to
the
1971/72
season
the
Blues
undertook
a
historic
tour
to
Russia.
Although
all
four
matches
played ended in narrow defeats, the tour was a resounding success and gained the club positive headlines.
Rowley
had
rebuilt
his
team
for
the
new
season,
notably
in
defence
with
Ray
Ternent
and
Brian
Albeson
joining
the
club.
After
another
slow
start
the
side
picked
up
substantial
momentum
in
the
League
and
also
enjoyed
an
FA
Cup
success
against
eventual
Third
Division
champions,
Aston
Villa.
The
club
had
a
super
run
of
seventeen
unbeaten
matches
in
March
and
April
and
looked
strong
bets
for
the
title.
However,
a
vital
home
game
against
Cambridge
United
was
lost
when
goalkeeper
Derek
Bellotti
was
injured
early
on
in
the
game.
A
further
three
draws
handed
the
title
to
Grimsby
Town,
but
second
place
ensured
a
return
to
the
Third
Division.
Long
serving
defender,
Tony
Bentley,
was
rewarded
with
a
second
testimonial
match
against
Stoke
City.
The
new
season
saw
an
excellent
signing
arriving
at
the
club,
Alan
Moody
signed
from
Middlesbrough
and
would
go
on
to
set
the
club’s
all
time
appearance
record
of
507
games.
However,
after
a
League
Cup
tie
with
Chelsea
in
September,
the
Shrimpers
accepted
a
club
record
bid
of
£80,000
for
Bill
Garner
from
the
Stamford
Bridge
club.
Goals
proved
hard
to
come
by
without
Garner
and
Gary
Moore
went
a
dozen
matches
with
out
a
goal.
In
November
Rowley
bought
in
Chris
Guthrie
from
Newcastle
to
help
Best
with
the
burden of goalscoring. He obliged with 15 goals in 25 games and steered the Blues to mid-table safety.
The
next
two
seasons
under
Rowley
proved
to
be
a
disappointment
with
the
club
failing
to
progress
up
the
table,
indeed
an
18th
placing
in
1974/75
saw
the
Blues
avoid
relegation
by
a
mere
four
points.
Prodigious
talent
Peter
Taylor
had
been
sold
to
Crystal
Palace
for
a
record
fee
of
£120,000
and
would
eventually
win
full
England
caps.
Rowley
had
secured
some
very
decent
signings,
Stuart Brace top scored in the 73/74 season and Tony Hadley and Ronnie Pountney would enjoy lengthy careers at Roots Hall.
If
those
seasons
were
disappointing
the
1975/76
campaign
was
an
unmitigated
disaster
and
would
prove
to
be
Rowley’s
last
at
the
helm.
While
the
FA
Cup
proved
to
be
a
welcome
distraction,
Swansea,
Dover,
Brighton
and
Cardiff
were
beaten
in
a
run
to
the
fifth
round,
League
form
slid
alarming
during
the
season.
A
run
of
just
two
wins
in
the
final
thirteen
games
of
the
campaign
ensured
the
Blues finished second bottom and dropped back to Division Four.
Blues
take
on
Shinnik
Yarosavl
The 1975/76 Squad
Scotsman
Dave
Smith
was
the
man
charged
with
reviving
Southend’s
fortunes.
He
cleared
out
a
number
of
Rowley’s
men
and
signed
the
likes
of
Neil
Freeman,
Ken
Price
and
Micky
Laverick.
While
a
tenth
place
finish
in
the
League
was
viewed
as
a
disappointment,
the
club
reached the third round of the FA Cup for the fourth successive campaign.
Smith
pruned
his
squad
further,
preferring
to
work
with
a
smaller
tightly
knitted
team.
The
fulcrum
of
the
team,
Alan
Moody,
Derrick
Parker
and
Colin
Morris
would
play
every
game
while
Laverick
and
Frankie
Banks
would
only
miss
five
games
between
them.
While
the
Blues
finished
some
distance
behind
champions
Watford,
excellent
home
form
ensured
promotion
was always on the cards for the Shrimpers.
Manager Dave Smith
The 1978/79 Squad that took on the European Champions
Smith
reinforced
his
defence
for
the
challenges
of
the
third
tier
by
recruiting
Micky
Stead,
Dave
Cusack
and
Mervyn
Cawston.
All
three
would
make
a
significant
impact
on
the
club.
The
team
were
marooned
in
mid-table
for
the
whole
campaign,
with
goalscoring
problems
hampering
any
hopes
a
good
finish
to
the
season.
The
previously
reliable
Derrick
Parker
mustered
only
a
dozen goals, yet this would be five strikes more than his nearest team mate.
The
undoubted
highlight
of
the
campaign
would
be
the
FA
Cup
which
saw
the
Blues
drawn
at
home
to
European
champions
Liverpool
at
home
in
the
third
round.
On
an
icy
pitch,
the
original
date
having
been
frozen
off,
the
Blues
gave
their
famous
guest
a
hell
of
a
fright
and
held
them
to
a
goalless
draw
in
front
of
a
record
Roots
Hall
gate
of
31,033.
While
the
replay
at
Anfield
was
lost,
legendary
Liverpool
manager
Bob
Paisley
was
full
of
praise
for
Dave
Smith’s
men.
The
last
season
of
the
decade
would
prove
to
be
a
real
shock
for
Smith’s
men
and
would
result
in
relegation.
Pre-season
was
difficult
after
the
whole
squad
went
down
with
food
poisoning
following
a
game
at
Dover.
When
the
season
proper
started
it
appeared
to
start
well,
a
League
Cup
run
had
seen
the
club
defeat
First
Division
opposition
away
from
home
for
the
first
time
ever
when
Bolton
Wanderers
fell
to
two
goals
from
Colin
Morris.
The
third
round
saw
a
three
game
epic
against
West
Ham
United
with
a
crowd
of
22,429
watching
the
first
replay
at
Roots
Hall.
The
FA
Cup
though
would
prove
the
antithesis
this
however,
the
Blues
suffering
the
ignominy
of
a
defeat
to
Isthmian
Leaguers
Harlow Town.
Smith
altered
his
strike
force
mid
season,
trading
Colin
Morris
for
Derek
Spence
from
Blackpool
and
buying
Keith
Mercer
for
£80,000
from
Watford.
The
new
strike
partnership
could
not
halt
the
slide
and
a
run
of
one
win
in
the
last
five
matches
of
the
season
meant
the
Blues
finished
two
points
short
of
safety. The new decade would start in the basement division once again.
Blues
ran
Liverpool
close
at
Roots
Hall
Mervyn Cawston
Derek Spence
The Eighties
If
Southend’s
relegation
at
the
end
of
the
1979/80
season
was
a
shock
to
the
system,
Dave
Smith
and
his
small
squad
provided
the
perfect antidote in the following campaign.
Club
records
tumbled
as
Southend
won
the
Division
Four
title
in
fine
style.
Using
only
seventeen
players
all
season,
three
of
whom
only
made
fleeting
appearances,
Southend
won
their
first
ever
major
trophy
as
a
Football
League
club.
The
team
was
built
on
a
rock
solid defence and an amazing home record.
The
team
won
nineteen
and
drew
four
of
its
23
home
games
and
in
the
ten
home
games
between
August
22nd
and
November
15th
didn’t even concede a league goal at Roots Hall.
Goalkeeper
Mervyn
Cawston
went
985
minutes
unbeaten
in
home
games
until
Bradford
City’s
Bobby
Campbell
finally
ended
the
run.
It
was
two
points
for
a
win
in
those
days,
but
under
the
present
system,
Southend
would
have
clocked
up
a
staggering
97
points
as
they headed the table from the likes of Lincoln City, Doncaster Rovers and the old Wimbledon club.
Although
it
was
a
real
team
effort,
top
scorer
Derek
Spence
was
voted
Player
of
the
Year
and
also
won
caps
for
Northern
Ireland
whilst with the Blues.
Southend
looked,
at
times,
good
prospects
for
a
second
straight
promotion
in
the
following
season.
However,
inexplicable
losses
of
form
such
as
six
straight
draws
in
February
and
no
wins
in
the
final
four
matches,
saw
the
club
finish
a
creditable
if
somewhat
disappointing seventh in Division Three.
The
1982/83
was
to
prove
to
be
the
end
of
a
golden
era.
If
the
departure
of
Derek
Spence
in
the
close
season
caused
raised
eyebrows
the
sale
of
Dave
Cusack
and
Anton
Otulakowski
to
Millwall
in
March
for
a
meagre
combined
fee
of
£60,000
was
alarming.
A
bad
run
of
form
after
the
sales
saw
the
Blues
slump
to
15th
in
the
table.
Steve
Phillips,
an
admirable
replacement
for
Spence,
topped
scored
with
a
creditable
20
goals
whilst
veteran
midfielder
Ronnie
Pountney
was
the
clubs
Player
of
the
Year
for
an
unprecedented
third
time.
These
were
troubled
times
off
the
field
for
Southend,
long
standing
owners
the
Rubin
family
had
sold
out
to
local
butcher
turned
entrepreneur
Anton
Johnson.
Popular
manager
Dave
Smith
was
dismissed
whilst
on
holiday
in
Tenerife
only
to
stage
a
lock-in
in
his
office
at
the
club
when
he
returned.
He
would
successfully
sue
the
club
for
damages.
The
turmoil
meant
new
incumbent,
Peter
Morris,
was
appointed
late
in
the
close
season
and
had
little
time
to
muster
a
decent
squad.
He
had
inherited
just
ten
contracted
players, two of which were goalkeepers.
Southend United – Division Four Champion 1980/81
Morris
would
last
only
until
February,
his
dismissal
was
formerly
announced
on
the
cover
of
the
Associate
Member’s
Cup
game
at
home
to
Reading,
a
tie
the
Blues
would
emphatically
win
5-0.
The
new
man
in
charge
was
already
at
the
club
and
was
a
household
name.
England’s
World
Cup
winning
captain
Bobby
Moore
was
a
member
of
the
board
at
Southend
and
accepted
the
request
to
step
into
the
breach
following
Morris’
departure.
However,
the
great
man
could
not
stop
the
rot
and
after
only
ten
wins
all
season
Blues
slid
into
the
bottom four some five points adrift of safety.
Moore
would
preside
over
arguably
Southend’s
worst
ever
season
of
1984/85.
Money
was
going
missing
at
an
alarming
rate
and
crowds
dwindle
to
an
all-time
low,
home
crowds
averaged
fewer
than
2,000
for
the
first
and
only
time
in
the
club’s
history.
An
experiment
with
Rugby
League
at
Roots
Hall
under
the
guise
of
Southend
Invicta
was
also
leaking
money
hand
over
fist.
Just
85
people
paid
to
watch
the
game
against
Huddersfield Barracudas.
Five
defeats
in
a
row
without
a
single
goal
being
scored
saw
the
Blues
going
into
the
final
match
of
the
season
at
home
to
rock
bottom
Torquay
United
with
a
win
absolutely
essential.
Anything
less
and
the
club
would
be
pitched
into
the
lottery
of
the
re-election
battle
where
clubs
in
the
bottom
four
would
go
cap
in
hand
to
League
members
in
the
hope
they
would
garner
more
votes
than
any
would
be
newcomers
from
the
non-
league
world.
Rivals
for
the
fourth
spot
Halifax
Town
had
won
at
home
on
the
Friday
night
against
Swindon
Town
to
finish
with
50
points.
Southend
were
now
fourth
bottom
on
47
points
(it
was
now
three
points
for
a
win),
but
a
marginally
better
goal
difference
meant
a
win
would
suffice.
A
Steve
Phillips
penalty
secured
a
much
needed
1-0
win
for
Southend.
The
threat
of
re-election
proved
academic
as
Gola
League
champions
Wealdstone
withdrew
their
application
and
the
bottom
four
clubs
were
re-elected
unopposed.
Meanwhile
debts
at
the
club
had
trebled
during
the
season,
and
although
Anton
Johnson
had
been
ousted
and
also
banned
from
involvement
in
football,
Southend
under
new
chairman
Vic
Jobson
faced
a
considerable
period
of rebuilding.
Bobby
Moore
bought
in
seasoned
veterans
Frank
Lampard
and
Barry
Silkman
whilst
Roy
McDonough
returned
to
Roots
Hall
from
Exeter.
At
£4,000
the
purchase
of
Richard
Cadette
from
Leyton
Orient
would
prove
to
be
a
steal.
The
young
forward
announced
himself
emphatically
with
a
four
goal
salvo
on
his
full
League début against his old team at Roots Hall.
Crowds
were
still
a
concern
though,
just
seven
years
after
the
new
attendance
record
was
set
against
Liverpool
a
nadir
was
reached
in
March
when
just
1,006
watched
the
League
game
at
home
to
Halifax
Town,
the
lowest
home
League
gate
ever.
Worse
still
was
the
“crowd”
for
the
home
Freight
Rover
Trophy
tie
Northampton
Town,
just
683
hardy
souls
attending.
Blues
did,
however,
mount
a
challenge
for
promotion
with
Cadette
scoring
25
goals,
but
some
wretchedly
inconsistent
results
saw
the
team
fall
away
to
a
final
position
of
ninth.
However,
Bobby
Moore
had
already
announced
his
decision
to
resign
from
the
manager’s post.
The
new
man
at
the
helm
was
Dave
Webb
who
set
about
dismantling
Moore’s
squad.
In
came
the
likes
of
Peter Johnson, Derek Hall and Dave Martin.
Blues
challenged
for
promotion
all
season
and
enjoyed
a
big
League
Cup
tie
with
Manchester
City
which
was
narrowly
lost
2-1
on
aggregate.
In
March
the
club
was
rocked
by
Dave
Webb’s
resignation,
citing
interference from the board as his reason.
Stalwart
player
Paul
Clark
stepped
into
the
void
and
attempted
to
finish
the
promotion
job
off.
A
vital
win
at
home
to
Wolverhampton
in
late
April
in
front
of
over
10,000
people
meant
a
top
three
finish
was
achievable.
A
Friday
night
trip
to
Stockport
in
the
final
game
meant
a
win
would
mean
Wolves
could
not
overtake
the
Blues
by
winning
the
following
day.
Goals
from
Glenn
Pennyfather
and
Richard
Cadette,
his
31st of the campaign, ensured the required points came back to Essex.
The
1987/88
season
saw
Clark
return
to
playing
duties
as
Vic
Jobson
ushered
in
a
new
manager,
Dick
Bate,
who though untried at League level, had a reputation as an outstanding coach.
Southend United 1983/84
Bobby Moore
Steve Phillips
Richard Cadette
Glenn Pennyfather
Southend United 1987/88
Cadette
had
been
sold
to
Sheffield
United
and
Bate
bought
in
the
likes
of
Chris
Ramsey,
Eric
Steele
and
Richard
Young.
The
appointment
was
to
prove
disastrous,
aside
from
a
League
Cup
win
against
Brentford,
Bate
failed
to
win
any
of
his
twelve
League
games
in
charge.
By
September
he
was
gone,
and
Clark
once
again
stepped
in
to
steady
the
ship.
One
of
his
best
moments
as
boss
came
quickly,
a
memorable
1-0
win
over
First
Division
Derby
County
in
the
League
Cup.
A
Roy
McDonough
penalty
against
England
goalkeeper
Peter
Shilton
settled
the
tie.
Clark’s
capture
of
David
Crown
in
November
would
prove
pivotal
in a remarkable escape from relegation after such an appalling start to the season.
The
1988/89
season,
however,
proved
to
be
a
real
struggle.
Even
the
re-introduction
of
Webb
as
manager
in
December
could
not
halt
the
downward
slide.
A
disastrous
run
of
six
games
without
a
win
in
the
run
in
to
the
end
of
the
season
meant
a
final
day
home
win
over
Chester
was
not
enough
as
the
Blues
went down by goal difference having secured a decent tally of 54 points.
The
disappointment
of
relegation
was
short-lived
however
as
Webb
rallied
the
troops
for
another
tilt
at
promotion.
The
season
started
well,
a
great
two
legged
League
Cup
win
over
Colchester
earned
Southend
a
plum
tie
against
Tottenham
Hotspur.
A
narrow
1-0
defeat
at
White
Hart
Lane
meant
there
was
all
to
play
for
in
the
second
leg
at
Roots
Hall.
Goals
from
Gary
Bennett
(2)
and
Dave
Martin
ensured
a
shock
3-
2 win on the night, but the Londoners sneaked through on the away goals rule.
League
form
gathered
momentum,
and
even
a
shock
FA
Cup
defeat
at
Aylesbury
United
could
not
detract
from
the
target
of
an
immediate
return
to
the
Third
Division.
A
magnificent
brace
from
23
goal
top
scorer
David
Crown
on
the
final
day
of
the
season
at
Peterborough
United
ensured
third
place
in
the
table
behind
champions
Exeter
City
and
Grimsby
Town.
Southend would finish a tempestuous decade as they had started it with promotion to the third tier.
Paul Clark
The Nineties
David
Webb
started
the
1990/91
with
a
much
changed
squad
in
spite
of
a
successful
promotion
campaign.
Top
scorer
for
the
previous
three
seasons,
David
Crown
was
allowed
to
leave
for
Gillingham
and
in
his
place
came
Brett
Angell,
a
£100,000
capture
from
Stockport
County.
Other
significant
arrivals
included
Chris Powell and John Cornwall.
The
season
started
very
well
indeed
with
eight
wins
in
the
opening
nine
matches
ensuring
the
Blues
lead
the
table
in
the
early
weeks.
Less
impressive
though
was
an
8-0
trashing
at
Crystal
Palace
in
the
Rumbelows
Cup.
The
unpopular
Leyland
DAF
Cup
however
saw
the
Shrimpers
find
their
scoring
boots
with
a
club
record
equalling
10-1
victory
against
Aldershot
in
the
opening.
New
man
Angell
claimed
four
and
there
was
also
a
hat-trick
for
Steve
Tilson.
A
subsequent
tie
against
Torquay
saw
the
Blues
rattle
in
seven
goals
without
reply
in
the
final
25
minutes
of
the
game,
Andy
Ansah
this
time
keeping
the
match
ball.
League
form
dipped
in
the
Christmas
and
New
Year
period
and
Webb
strengthened
his
defensive
options
with
Pat
Scully
arriving
from
Arsenal.
As
the
run
in
to
the
end
of
the
season
began
missed
opportunities
at
home
to
the
likes
of
Chester,
Wigan
and
Cambridge
saw
promotion
rivals
gain
valuable
ground.
A
win
at
Exeter
though
saw
Blues
in
the
home
straight
knowing
a
win
on
the
road
again
up
at
Bury
would
secure
back
to
back
promotions
for
Webb’s
men.
A
tense
encounter
ensued
at
Gigg
Lane,
not
helped
by
Scully’s
early
dismissal
for
an
injudicious
challenge.
The
ten
men
rallied
and
as
the
game
entered
the
closing
stages
Andy
Ansah
yet
again
rampaged
down
the
right
flank,
his
scuffed
cross
fell
to
Ian
Benjamin.
The
man
who
had
terrorised
Southend
in
the
80’s
as
part
of
the
powerful
Northampton
side
turned
neatly
on
the
edge
of
the
box.
His
deft
shot
found
the
corner
of
the
home
net
and
the
away
terrace
paused
momentarily
to
let
the
realisation
dawn,
and
then
unbridled
jubilation was unleashed. It was a truly iconic moment in the club’s history.
Southend United 1990s
Southend
had
won
promotion
to
the
second
tier
of
English
football
for
the
first
time
ever.
The
squad
was
bolstered
with
the
arrival
of
Kevin
O’Callaghan
and
Andy
Sussex.
After
a
difficult
start
goals
started
flowing,
Brett
Angell
set
a
post-War
club
record
by
scoring
in
seven
consecutive
games,
falling
just
one
short
of
Billy
Hick’s
all
time
record.
For
the
first
time
in
the
club’s
history
the
team
entered
the
FA
Cup
at
the
third
round
stage,
drawing
Everton
away
at
Goodison
Park.
Blues
gave
a
great
account
of
themselves
losing
to
a
single
Peter
Beardsley
goal.
The
match
had
come
three
days
after
a
4-0
home
win
over
Newcastle
United
on
New
Years
Day
which
had seen the Shrimpers temporarily top the First Division table.
Form
wavered
though
and
despite
a
club
record
fee
of
£175,000
spent
on
the
services
of
Keith
Jones,
the club finished in twelfth position in the final analysis.
The
season
finished
on
a
flat
note
when
David
Webb
resigned
for
a
second
time.
The
board
appointed
the
experienced
Colin
Murphy
as
his
replacement
and
his
unusual
training
methods
and
rambling
philosophical
programme
notes
had
the
Blues
faithful
scratching
their
heads.
On
November
21st
however,
Murphy
pulled
off
a
master
stroke
by
rescuing
a
young
centre
forward
from
Crystal
Palace
reserves.
Stan
Collymore
burst
onto
the
Southend
scene
like
no
other
player
in
living
memory.
Raw
strength,
skill
and
energy
saw
him
rattle
in
18
goals
in
33
games.
It
had,
however,
remained
a
season
of
struggle
and
Murphy
paid
the
price
with
his
job.
Barry
Fry
was
drafted
in
to
save
the
Blues
from
the
drop.
He
seemed
to
get
even
more
out
of
Collymore
and
four
wins
out
of
the
last
four
home
games
ensured
survival
on
the
last
day
of
the
season
against
Luton
Town.
Collymore
was
chaired
of
the
pitch
in
his
underpants,
it
was
to
prove
to
be
the
last
time
he
wore
and
lost
a
Southend shirt.
In
the
summer
he
was
sold
to
Nottingham
Forest
for
a
fee
of
£2,250,000,
shattering
the
club’s
record
fee.
With
Fry’s
undoubted
acumen
in
the
transfer
market,
the
fee
eventually
climbed
to
an
astonishing
£3.57
million.
It
was
widely
viewed
that
Collymore
was
the most naturally gifted player the club had ever fielded.
Fry
shed
many
players
in
the
summer
and
bought
in
the
likes
of
Ricky
Otto,
who
would
light
up
Roots
Hall
with
his
mesmeric
dribbling,
Jason
Lee
and
Gary
Poole
who
would
cost
a
club
record
fee
of
£400,000.
A
clutch
of
players
also
arrived
from
Fry’s
former
club
Barnet.
By
January
however,
Fry
was
gone.
Despite
saying
he
wouldn’t
leave
the
club
he
changed
his
mind
and
amid
not
inconsiderable
acrimony
departed
for
Birmingham
City.
Former
Southend
player
Peter
Taylor
was
handed the reigns and the team laboured to a final placing of 15th.
Taylor
again
struggled
to
get
the
team
going
in
the
1994/95
campaign
with
goalscoring
proving
to
be
a
real
problem
for
his
charges.
Despite
the
luxury
of
the
vastly
experienced
Ronnie
Whelan
in
midfield,
the
team
struggled
for
form
and
as
relegation
looked
a
serious
possibility
Taylor
resigned
in
February.
Steve
Thompson
was
handed
the
job
on
a
caretaker
basis
with
a
dozen
games
remaining.
It
marked
an
unbelievable
change
in
the
team,
confidence
flowed
through
every
player
and
goals
came
thick
and
fast.
Eight
wins
under
Thompson
ensured
a
comfortable
placing
of
13th
in
the final reckoning.
Ricky Otto
Thompson
turned
down
a
full
time
contract
and
Ronnie
Whelan
took
over
as
player-manager,
although
he
would
suffer
a
career
ending
injury
in
the
opening
game
of
the
1995/96
season.
The
club
spent
unprecedented
amounts
in
the
transfer
market,
Mike
Marsh
arrived
from
Galatasaray
for
a
record
£500,000
whilst
Mike
Lapper,
Andy
Rammell, Mark McNally and Jeroen Boere all commanded six figure fees.
Despite
the
influx
of
new
players
goalscoring
again
proved
to
be
the
weakness
in
the
team,
Dave
Regis
would
top
score
with
eight
League
goals
despite
leaving
the
club
in
February.
A
final
placing
of
14th
was
only
seven
points
above relegation in a tight division.
The
success
and
glamour
of
the
first
half
of
the
1990’s
would
be
mirrored
in
the
starkest
possible
fashion
by
the
second
period
of
the
decade.
Whelan’s
second
season
in
charge
was
an
unmitigated
disaster
with
the
club
finishing
bottom of the First Division table winning just eight games all season.
Whelan
departed
and
ex
West
Ham
and
England
defender
Alvin
Martin
was
charged
with
halting
the
slide
for
the
1997/98
season.
It
was
another
desperate
period
for
the
Blues,
a
run
of
five
games
without
even
being
able
to
score
a
goal
at
the
turn
of
the
year
summed
up
a
dire
campaign.
The
Blues
were
relegated
for
a
second
time
in
successive
seasons,
again
finished
at
the
foot
of
the
table.
For
the
1998/99
season
Martin
drafted
in
the
experienced
Mick
Gooding
as
his
assistant
but
to
no
avail,
an
18th
place
finish
saw
the
club
flirting dangerously with the trapdoor to the Conference.
The
final
season
of
the
decade
saw
Martin
Carruthers
arrive
from
Darlington
for
£50,000
and
he
would
score
19
times
for
the
Blues
in
his
début
campaign.
However,
goals
among
the
other
players
were
scarce
and
by
early
March
Alvin
Martin
had
left
the
club
as
manager.
The
Blues
board
turned
to
another
former
Southend
player
as
the
new
man
in
charge
as
Alan
Little
was
appointed
manager
after
a
successful
spell
as
a
player
more
than
twenty
years
previously.
The
final
nine
games
of
another
wretched
season
mustered
only
five
League
goals
as
the
Blues
limped
to
16th
place
in
the
table.
However,
popular
left
back
Nathan
Jones
bought
the
curtain
down
on
the
20th
century
with
a
wonder
goal
in
the
final
game
at
home
to
Cheltenham Town.
2000 to date
The
2000/01
season
had
not
started
particularly
well
for
Southend
United
and
despite
a
rally
of
three
successive
1-0
wins
in
late
September,
Alan
Little
was
replaced
as
manager
by
David
Webb.
His
third
stint
in
charge
at
Roots
Hall
saw
1,000
Shrimpers
trek
to
Blackpool to welcome back one of the club’s most successful managers ever.
Blues
challenged
for
promotion
for
much
of
the
season
but
in
the
closing
months
too
many
drawn
games
and
a
lack
of
goals
meant
a
final
position
of
11th.The
paucity
of
goals
was
reflected
in
Martin
Carruthers,
who
had
left
for
Scunthorpe
United
in
March,
sharing
the top scorer’s mantle with Ben Abbey and David Lee on ten apiece.
For
once
the
season
had
been
notable
for
cup
performances.
In
the
FA
Cup
the
Shrimpers
drew
neighbours
Canvey
Island
in
the
second
round.
The
tie
was
switched
to
Roots
Hall
and
a
big
crowd
of
11,402
saw
the
Blues
win
by
two
goals
to
one.
Unusually
the
club
were
drawn
against
another
non-league
side,
Kingstonian,
in
round
three
but
went
down
to
an
ignominious
1-0
defeat,
only
the
second
time
the
club
had
succumbed
to
a
non-league
side
at
home
in
the
FA
Cup.
In
the
Leyland
DAF
Cup,
the
Blues
enjoyed
a
win
over
Swindon
Town
on
the
briefly
employed
“golden
goal”
rule
en
route
to
the
Area
final.
In
the
two
legged
area
final
though,
Brentford proved too strong winning 4-2 on aggregate.
By
October
2001
Webb
had
resigned
from
Roots
Hall
for
a
third
time
citing
health
problems
as
the
reason.
Veteran
player
Rob
Newman,
popular
with
the
Roots
Hall
crowd
for
his
whole
hearted
play,
was
handed
the
job
of
trying
to
get
the
Blues
out
of
the
basement
division.
It
was
another
average
season
however
despite
the
arrival
of
several
new
players
like
Leon
Cort,
Barrington
Belgrave
and
Steve
Clark.
Away
form
yet
again
proved
problematic
with
just
three
wins
on
the
road.
The
2002/03
campaign
was
also
a
real
struggle
for
the
club
and
although
never
in
real
danger
of
relegation
to
the
Conference,
the
club’s
low
position
in
the
table
saw
Newman
relived
of
his
duties
in
March
2003.
Ex
Arsenal
midfielder,
Stewart
Robson
had
been
bought
in
to
assist
Newman
with
coaching and was handed the job on a caretaker basis until Steve Wignall was ushered in as the new manager.
Wignall’s
stay
at
Roots
Hall
lasted
just
23
matches,
the
Blues
had
won
just
two
of
the
first
twelve
games
of
the
2003/04
season.
Dave
Webb
returned
briefly
this
time
for
a
four
game
fourth
spell
as
manager
before
former
player
Steve
Tilson
was
given
the
chance
to
manage
the
club
he
had
served
so
well
as
a
player.
The
Shrimpers
flirted
with
relegation
to
the
Conference
all
season
despite
Leon
Constantine’s
proficiency
in
front
of
goal.
The
striker’s
21
League
goals
meant
he
was
the
first
player
to
score
twenty
League
goals
in
a season since Brett Angell more than a decade previously.
The
FA
Cup
saw
the
club
reach
the
third
round
and
a
1-1
draw
at
Roots
Hall
against
non-league
Scarborough
saw
the
incentive
of
a
fourth
round
tie
against
Chelsea
awaiting
the
replay
winners.
Scarborough
won
the
replay
by
a
solitary
goal.
In
the
LDV
trophy
however
the
Blues
put
together
an
impressive
run,
including
a
brilliant
4-0
defeat
of
QPR.
The
tireless
workhorse
of
a
centre
forward,
Drewe
Broughton,
became
a
cult
hero
as
the
Blues
defeated
arch
rivals
Colchester
United
in
an
all
Essex
Area
final.
The
Shrimpers
had
qualified
for
their
first
ever
major
final
and
although
the
game
would
be
staged
at
Cardiff’s
Millennium
Stadium,
as
Wembley
was
being
rebuilt,
cup
final
fever
gripped
the
town.
Blackpool
stood
in
between
Southend
and
given
League
form,
an
unlikely
victory.
However, the team froze on the big day went behind early and lost 2-0 in front of a crowd of 34,031.
Tilson
revamped
his
squad
for
the
2004/05
season
with
many
expecting
another
difficult
campaign.
His
key
signing
though
came
in
October
when
he
bought
in
youngster
Freddy
Eastwood,
initially
on
loan,
from
non-leaguers
Grays
Athletic.
He
announced
himself
in
the
best
possibly
way
with
a
debut
hat-trick
against
Swansea
City,
the
first
coming
after
just
7.7
seconds
of
the
game.
The
LDV
trophy
again
proved
successful
with
the
club
reaching
the
final
for
the
second
consecutive
season.
However,
Wrexham
proved
to
be
the better side in the final and won by two goals to nil.
Tilson
had
galvanised
his
team
and
automatic
promotion
looked
a
real
possibility
until
a
late
season
wobble
meant
the
play-offs
beckoned.
In
a
tight
semi-final
against
Northampton
Town,
only
a
Freddy
Eastwood
penalty
separated
the
sides
after
two
legs.
The
Blues
were
heading
to
Cardiff
for
the
third
time
in
15
months,
surely
it
would
be
a
case
of
third
time
lucky?
Lincoln
City
manfully
stood
up
to
the
Blues
for
ninety
minutes
before
an
unlikely
hero
emerged
in
extra
time.
In
the
105th
minute
Freddy
Eastwood
had
given
the
Blues
a
narrow
lead,
but
promotion
was
gloriously
confirmed
five
minutes
later
when
full
back
Duncan
Jupp
ran
fully
seventy
yards
in
searing
heat
to
dispatch
the
ball
masterfully
into
the
Lincoln
net.
It
was
his
first
senior
goal
in
ten
years
and
secured
promotion to League One.
After
seven
seasons
in
the
basement
division,
many
would
have
settled
for
a
season
of
consolidation,
Steve
Tilson
though
had
other
ideas.
He
bought
in
some
experienced
players
like
Efe
Sodje
and
former
Manchester
City
legend
Shaun
Goater,
while
Spencer
Prior
returned
to
the
club
where
he
started
his
career.
The
acquisition
of
the
veteran
Goater
proved
a
masterstroke,
a
knowledgeable
foil
for
the
rampant
youngster
Freddy
Eastwood.
The
club
topped
the
table
on
January
2nd
and
stayed
there
until
the
end
of
the
season
to
win
the
championship
in
fine
style.
The
Blues
needed
to
win
on
the
last
day
of
the
season
to
deny
Essex
rivals
Colchester
United
the
coveted
silverware
and
a
tense
game
against
Bristol
City
at
Roots
Hall
ensued.
Home
fans
had
dressed
up
in
Caribbean
style
clothing
to
say
farewell
to
Shaun
Goater
who
had
announced
his
retirement.
With
a
few
minutes
remaining
and
the
game
still
goalless,
the
game
paused
as
the
entire
crowd,
including
some
400
Manchester
City
fans,
gave
an
incredible
ovation
to
an
emotional
Goater
as
he
walked
of
a
pitch
for
the
last
time.
His
replacement,
Wayne
Gray,
settled
the
nerves
of
the
home
crowd
with
a
goal
three
minutes from time. Southend United were League One champions and Tilson had achieved back-to-back promotions.
Southend’s
stay
in
the
Championship
was
brief,
winning
only
ten
games
all
season.
Tilson’s
men
had
dropped
in
the
bottom
three
in
September
and
remained
in
it
all
season,
finishing
seven
points
adrift
of
safety.
The
cup
competitions
proved
more
heartening
however,
Bournemouth,
Brighton
and
Leeds
United
had
all
been
dispatched
in
the
Carling
Cup
when
Southend
drew
the
big
one
in
the
fourth
round,
Manchester
United
at
home.
The
illustrious
visitors
respectfully
fielded
ten
internationals
including
golden
boys
Wayne
Rooney
and
Cristiano
Ronaldo.
In
the
27th
minute
Southend
were
awarded
a
free
kick
on
the
edge
of
the
box,
Freddy
Eastwood
curled
the
ball
past
the
wall
and
into
the
top
corner
for
a
goal
worthy
of
winning
any
game.
The
visitors
battered
the
Southend
goal
for
the
rest
of
the
match,
but
they
could
not
find
a
way
past
a
superb
Darryl
Flahavan
in
goal.
Legendary
manager,
Alex
Ferguson
rued
the
“bloody
nose”
Southend
had
given
his
team.
Tottenham
put
the
Shrimpers
out
of
the
competition
in
the
fifth
round,
although
extra
time
was
needed
at
White
Hart
Lane
to
separate
the
sides.
Strangely
the
side
from
North
London
also
accounted for the Blues in the FA Cup as well that season, winning a fourth round tie by 3-1 at White Hart Lane.
It
was
back
to
League
One
for
the
2007/08
season
with
Tilson
bringing
some
astute
signings
throughout
the
campaign,
notably
Leon
Clarke,
Nicky
Bailey
and
Lee
Barnard.
Meanwhile,
Freddy
Eastwood
had
departed
to
Wolves
for
a
fee
of
£1,500,000.
The
club
were
on
the
periphery
of
the
promotion
picture
all
season
and
it
was
no
surprise
that
the
regular
season
ended
with
a
position
in
the
play-
offs.
A
resurgent
Doncaster
Rovers
were
the
semi-final
opponents,
and
it
was
they
who
progressed
to
the
final
after
a
limp
second
leg
performance by the Blues resulted in a 5-1 mauling.
The
following
season
was
more
of
the
same,
some
great
spells
of
form
but
ultimately
falling
five
points
short
of
another
play-off
adventure.
The
undoubted
highlight
of
the
2008/09
season
was
an
FA
Cup
third
draw
against
Chelsea
at
Stamford
Bridge.
Fuelled
by
endless
oil
money
Chelsea
was
a
truly
tough
opponent
for
the
Shrimpers
and
6,000
supporters
headed
towards
West
London
for
the
glamorous
tie.
Predictably
Chelsea
launched
a
barrage
of
attacks
but
only
had
a
Salomon
Kalou
header
to
show
for
their
efforts.
Southend’s
Peter
Clarke,
celebrating
his
27th
birthday,
scored
a
90th
minute
equaliser
to
silence
the
home
crowd.
Remarkably
in
injury
time
the
same
player
saw
a
header
hit
the
crossbar
as
the
Shrimpers
pressed
for
an
unlikely
winner.
The
replay
at
Roots
Hall
bought welcome cash into the coffers, but there was to be no fairy tale ending as Chelsea cantered to a 4-1 victory.
The
last
season
of
the
decade
was
to
prove
dispiriting,
the
club
had
lost
some
key
players,
Peter
Clarke
went
to
Huddersfield
and
in
January
top
scorer
Lee
Barnard
moved
to
Southampton
for
£175,000.
He
would
remain
the
clubs
leading
goalscorer
despite
playing
only
half
the
campaign.
A
lack
of
goals,
a
transfer
embargo,
and
low
confidence
saw
the
side
relegated
to
League
Two
with
only
Stockport
County
below
them
in
the
table.
After
seven
highly
entertaining
seasons
in
charge
Steve
Tilson
was
replaced
at
the
helm
by
Paul Sturrock.
New
Manager,
Paul
Sturrock
inherited
a
massively
depleted
squad
with
just
four
contracted
players,
but
his
impressive
scouting
network
assembled
a
varied
and
experienced
crop
of
players
for
the
2010/11
campaign.
Gems
from
the
non-league
scene,
Sean
Clohessy
and
Ryan
Hall also proved pivotal signings.
A
mid
table
finish
seven
points
adrift
of
the
play-offs
was
a
decent
effort
after
the
considerable
turnover
of
personnel.
For
the
2011/12
season
Blues
mounted
a
serious
challenge
for
promotion to League One being in an automatic promotion position as late as March.
However,
indifferent
form
at
a
vital
period,
encapsulated
by
the
eccentric
performances
of
French
import
Bilel
Mohsni,
meant
promotion
would
have
to
be
achieved
via
the
play-offs.
Sadly,
the
Shrimpers
drew
the
in-form
team
in
the
semis
and
lost
to
a
rampant
Crewe
Alexandra side.
Sturrock
again
shuffled
his
pack
for
the
2012/13
campaign
bringing
in
promising
strikers
Gavin
Tomlin
and
Britt
Assombalonga.
Freddy
Eastwood,
having
returned
on
loan
towards
the
end
of
the
previous
campaign,
would
sign
a
deal
as
well.
Crowd
favourite
Barry Corr would also make a triumphant return to the game after 17 months out through injury.
Blues,
however,
never
really
mounted
a
serious
promotion
challenge
with
home
form
being
the
team’s
Achilles
heel.
Once
again
though,
solace
came
in
the
shape
of
the
Johnstone’s
Paint
Trophy,
the
latest
incarnation
of
the
much
maligned
Football
League
Trophy.
The
run
included
a
penalty
shootout
win,
late
goalkeeper
substitutions
and
a
truly
dramatic
last
gasp
Area
Final
goal
by
Ben
Reeves against Leyton Orient.
League
form
had
remained
indifferent
however
and
Sturrock
would
be
relieved
of
his
duties
in
the
weeks
leading
up
to
Southend’s
first ever Wembley final appearance.
Phil
Brown
was
charged
with
overseeing
the
last
few
weeks
of
the
campaign
as
Wembley
fever
gripped
the
town.
A
magnificent
32,000
tickets
were
sold
as
Wembley
Stadium
was
well
and
truly
painted
blue.
However,
a
crippling
injury
list
saw
Crewe
Alexandra
secure the trophy.
Phil Brown’s first full season in charge saw the Blues come within touching distance of League One.
The
Boss
made
many
additions
to
his
squad
for
the
upcoming
campaign
including
the
likes
of
John
White
from
neighbours
Colchester United, Will Atkinson from Bradford City and Ben Coker be following a successful trial.
A
disappointing
start
to
the
season
put
pay
to
Southend
making
the
automatic
promotion
spots
as
they
won
only
three
of
their
opening ten games, losing five.
Phil
Brown’s
side
rallied
though
and
finished
comfortably
inside
the
play-offs
by
ten
points
in
fifth
position.
Standing
in
the
way
of
another trip to Wembley was Burton Albion, a side that Blues had beaten twice in the regular season.
But
when
it’s
the
lottery
of
the
play-offs
anything
can
happen
and
after
losing
1-0
in
the
first
leg
at
the
Pirelli
Stadium
it
all
came
down
to
the
second
leg
at
Roots
Hall.
Sadly,
a
2-2
draw
meant
the
Blues
fell
short
and
it
was
back
to
the
drawing
board
for
the
14/15
season.
Phil
Brown
strengthened
his
squad
yet
again
as
Southend
eyed
automatic
promotion
in
14/15.
Myles
Weston,
David
Worrall
and
Gary Deegan were amongst those who came in for the new campaign.
After
a
slow
start,
Blues
started
to
hit
the
ground
running
in
September
winning
four
consecutive
games.
Some
poor
form
over
the
winter
caused
Manager,
Phil
Brown
to
strengthen
yet
again
and
it
proved
a
masterstroke
as
‘Mr
Southend’,
Adam
Barrett
returned
to
the club along with striker Joe Pigott who joined on loan from Charlton Athletic.
As
the
season
approached
it’s
‘Business
End’
Southend
were
in
inspired
form
going
on
a
seven
game
winning
run
with
Dan
Bentley
breaking a club record of 11 consecutive clean sheets at home.
Southend
went
to
Morecambe
on
the
last
day
of
the
season
knowing
that
a
win
would
see
them
automatically
promoted
to
League
One. It was not to be Blues day though as they lost 3-1 and were pipped to third place by Bury.
So,
it
was
to
be
the
play-offs
again
for
Southend,
but
the
players
weren’t
feeling
sorry
for
themselves
and
professionally
saw
off
Stevenage over two legs to seal a Wembley date with Wycombe Wanderers.
Daniel
Bentley
was
hero
as
Blues
defeated
beat
Wycombe
on
penalties
to
win
the
Sky
Bet
League
2
Play-Off
Final
on
the
hallowed
Wembley turf.
Cometh
the
hour,
cometh
the
man
as
Bentley
stepped
up
to
deny
Sam
Wood's
effort
to
complete
the
League
One
march
under
the
arch.
It
had
all
looked
so
different
in
extra
time
as
it
looked
for
all
the
world
that
Joe
Jacobson's
25-yard
free-kick
had
given
Wycombe
the
win.
As
time
ticked
on
and
went
into
stoppage
time,
up
stepped
Joe
Pigott
to
slot
home
in
the
122nd
minute
to
take
it
to
the
lottery
of
penalties.
This was to be Blues first return to the third-tier in five years.
Phil
Brown
made
some
additions
to
his
attacking
line
ahead
of
Southend’s
first
season
in
League
One
in
2015/16,
adding
the
goalscoring experience of Noel Hunt and David Mooney.
After
taking
time
to
adjust
to
stepping
up
a
division
Blues
got
their
first
win
of
the
campaign
in
front
of
the
TV
cameras
against
Peterborough United at Roots Hall. Goals from Adam Barrett and summer signing, Hunt secured a first class victory over Posh.
Towards
the
end
of
September,
Blues
were
thrown
into
the
Lion’s
den
at
Millwall,
and
came
out
triumphant
after
goals
from
Barrett
and another new boy, David Mooney gave Phil Brown’s side all three points.
The
league
was
now
having
to
sit
up
and
take
notice
of
Southend;
a
team
who
had
stepped
up
a
division
but
was
also
stepping
up
a
gear or two.
A
four
goal
demolition
of
Bury
put
supporters
in
the
Christmas
spirit,
and
the
2-0
Essex
derby
win
took
them
to
dreamland
with
goals from Captain John White and David Mooney.
The New Year began with a bump as successive defeats brought Southend back down to earth.
The
squad
pulled
their
socks
up,
and
a
last
gasp
penalty
save
from
Dan
Bentley
at
Peterborough
United
galvanised
the
team
to
finish
January with an impressive 3-0 over Coventry City; Tyrone Barnett bagging two on his home debut!
The first week of February brought about two games, six points and another comprehensive victory in the ‘Battle of Essex’.
Goals
from
Anthony
Wordsworth
on
his
return
from
injury,
Mr
Southend
Barrett
and
Saints
Loanee
Sam
McQueen
saw
Blues
ease
past Colchester United.
Inconsistency
put
pay
to
Southend’s
hopes
of
making
the
League
One
play-offs
however,
as
they
finished
the
season
in
15th
position
on 59 points.
The
following
season
started
slowly,
and
12
games
in
Blues
were
facing
a
season
fighting
relegation.
But
when
players
such
as
Anthony
Wordsworth
and
Anton
Ferdinand
found
their
fitness,
and
players
like
Simon
Cox,
who
joined
in
the
summer
of
2016,
found their form, Blues pushed for promotion.
Unfortunately,
the
season
finished
with
Blues
missing
out
on
the
play-offs
by
one
point
to
Millwall
on
the
final
day
of
the
season,
leaving Blues to finish in 7th.
Brown
decided
to
shake
up
his
squad
after
a
poor
end
to
the
previous
campaign.
Out
of
contract
stars
Dan
Bentley
and
Jack
Payne
moved on to Brentford and Huddersfield town for substantial tribunal fixed fees as both were under the age of 24.
Brown
brought
in
some
big
name
signings,
Simon
Cox
and
Anton
Ferdinand
arrived
from
Reading
and
Jason
Demetriou
from
Walsall.
Jermaine
McGlashan
was
signed
from
Gillingham
and
Ryan
Inniss
(Crystal
Palace)
and
Adam
King
(Swansea)
came
on
loan
but
both
would
struggle
to
gain
a
regular
place
in
the
team.
Goalkeeper
Mark
Oxley
arrived
from
Hibernian
and
controversial
striker
Nile
Ranger
signed
for
the
Blues
after
a
colourful
spell
at
Blackpool.
In
September
veteran
strike
Marc-Antoine
Fortune
signed
from
Coventry and became a crowd favourite with his mazy dribbles, speedy bursts and his telepathic link play with Cox.
Despite
opening
the
season
with
two
defeats,
an
early
season
highlight
was
a
3-0
win
at
Bramall
Lane
against
promotion
favourites,
Sheffield
United.
After
struggling
to
get
going
it
was
November
that
saw
Blues
starting
to
climb
the
table
with
an
impressive
4-1
win
at
Bury
followed
by
a
3-0
win
at
home
to
Bradford
City.
Blues
headed
into
the
play-off
picture
in
late
March,
Nile
Ranger
scoring
in
four
successive
matches.
However,
only
two
wins
from
the
final
six
matches
saw
Southend
finish
in
seventh
plays
a
solitary
point
away
from
the
play-off
places.
Midfielder
Ryan
Leonard
was
voted
Player
of
The
Year
for
the
third
time
in
four
seasons,
equalling
Ronnie Pountney’s club record.
The
2018/19
season
started
win
a
win
against
Blackburn
Rovers
but
was
sharply
contrasted
with
a
5-0
defeat
at
Rotherham
United.
An
impressive
4-2
win
at
Fleetwood
was
an
early
highlight
but
in
general
the
side
found
goals
and
wins
hard
to
come
by
and
hovered
steadfastly
around
mid-table.
In
January
Blues
parted
company
with
striker
Nile
Ranger
after
numerous
disciplinary
matters.
After
four
consecutive
defeats
over
New
Year
and
early
January,
the
Blues
slumped
to
eighteenth
in
the
table
and
Phil
Brown
was
relieved
of his duties after almost five years in charge.
The
new
man
in
charge
was
Chris
Powell
who
had
played
290
games
for
Southend
in
the
1990s
and
was
a
hugely
popular
appointment.
The
change
had
an
immediate
impact
as
Blues
won
their
first
three
games
under
the
new
manager.
After
a
sticky
spell
when
the
side
failed
to
score
in
four
out
of
five
matches
the
team
rallied
and
three
wins
in
the
last
four
matches,
including
a
4-0
demolition of Milton Keynes Dons saw the Blues finish in tenth place. Goalkeeper, Mark Oxley, was Player of the Year.
Chris
Powell
was
busy
in
the
transfer
market
during
the
summer,
Sam
Mantom
made
his
previous
loan
move
from
Scunthorpe
United
into
a
permanent
deal,
French
midfielder
Timothée
Dieng
arrived
from
Bradford
City,
Josh
Wright
making
a
move
in
the
opposite
direction.
Lively
winger
Sam
Barratt
made
the
step
up
from
non-league
football
at
Maidenhead
United,
and
Luke
Hyam
was
drafted
in
from
Ipswich
Town.
Harry
Lennon
from
Charlton
bolstered
the
defence
and
Harry
Bunn
(Bury),
Shawn
McCoulsky
and
Taylor Moore (both from Bristol City) arrived on loan deals.
The
early
weeks
of
the
season
were
marked
with
a
tempestuous
encounter
with
Charlton
at
Roots
Hall,
a
1-1
saw
three
red
cards
including
the
Blues’
Michael
Kightly
and
Mark
Oxley.
Results
proved
frustratingly
inconsistent,
great
wins
at
Gillingham
(2-
0),Wycombe
(3-2)
and
Burton
(2-1)
were
juxtaposed
with
defeats
at
home
to
the
likes
of
Blackpool,
Coventry
City
and
Rochdale.
In
January
Powell
augmented
his
squad
with
two
popular
signings.
Striker
Steve
Humphrys
joined
from
Fulham
for
an
undisclosed
fee
and marauding left back Sam Hart signed on loan from Blackburn Rovers.
It
was
youngster
Charlie
Kelman,
still
only
16,
who
stole
the
headlines
despite
a
defeat
at
home
to
Plymouth,
scoring
with
a
truly
audacious
shot
from
his
own
half
having
spotted
the
visiting
keeper
off
his
line.
After
a
fantastic
4-0
win
at
Bradford
City
the
side
plummeted
down
the
table
with
a
run
of
eleven
games
without
a
win.
Blues
only
picked
up
three
points,
one
coming
in
a
3-3
draw
with
Portsmouth,
thanks
to
a
sublime
Simon
Cox
hat-trick.
A
2-0
defeat
at
Peterborough
spelt
the
end
for
Chris
Powell
and
academy
manager
Ricky
Duncan
took
temporary
charge
of
the
team
until
Kevin
Bond
arrived
for
the
final
six
games
of
the
season.
Blues
picked
up
enough
points
to
mean
a
win
on
the
final
day
at
home
to
Sunderland
would
ensure
survival.
In
a
dramatic
match,
Steve
Humphrys
came
off
the
bench,
wearing
a
face
mask
to
protect
injuries
received
following
a
dreadful
clash
with
the
Accrington
Stanley
goalkeeper
back
in
February,
to
score
the
winner
three
minutes
from
time.
Blues
finished
in
nineteenth
place
and
top
scorer,
Simon Cox, deservedly won Player of The Year.
After
successfully
keeping
Southend
in
League
One,
Kevin
Bond
was
offered
the
vacant
manager’s
job
on
a
permanent
basis
and
set
about
strengthening
his
squad.
A
big
loss
was
Dru
Yearwood
who
was
sold
to
Brentford
for
a
substantial
but
undisclosed
fee.
Bond
raided
Scottish
football
to
bring
in
Nathan
Ralph
(Dundee),
Joe
Shaughnessy
(St.
Johnstone)
and
Australian
captain
Mark
Milligan
from Hibernian. Brandon Goodship arrived for an undisclosed fee from Weymouth after scoring 77 goals for them in two seasons.
The
season
started
badly
with
only
a
single
point
from
a
3-3
draw
with
Fleetwood
Town
at
Roots
Hall.
The
Fleetwood
game
was
Gary
Waddock’s
first
game
in
temporary
charge
after
Bond
had
departed.
Blues
quickly
secured
a
first
League
win
of
the
season
when
a
goal
from
Charlie
Kelman
secured
the
points
at
Milton
Keynes
Dons,
but
the
defeats
still
piled
up.
Sol
Campbell
was
chosen
as
the
new
permanent
manager
as
he
watched
Southend’s
record
home
League
defeat
1-7
,
at
the
hands
of
Doncaster.
The
first
win
under
Campbell
came
in
his
twelfth
match
in
charge,
a
2-1
win
at
Accrington.
This
was
soon
followed
by
a
win
at
home
to
Lincoln
City,
secured
by
a
dramatic
late
winner
from
Elvis
Bwomono.
Blues
had
remained
steadfastly
in
next
to
bottom
position
all
season,
ahead
of
Bolton
who
had
the
handicap
of
a
ten
point
deduction.
When
the
Covid-19
pandemic
curtailed
the
season
eleven
games
early
Southend
found
themselves
relegated
as
the
EFL
voted
to
end
the
season
on
points
per
game
ratios.
Manager
Sol
Campbell
left
the
club during the close season.
The
2020/21
saw
a
new
man
at
the
helm
for
Blues,
Mark
Molesley
joined
from
non-league
Weymouth
having
guided
them
to
the
National
League
with
successive
promotions.
The
club
were
held
back
by
another
transfer
embargo
which
meant
by
Christmas
the
situation
was
looking
very
bleak,
with
only
two
wins
secured
when
the
embargo
was
finally
lifted
in
January.
An
influx
of
new
signings
bought
a
temporary
improvement
in
form
but
a
run
of
one
win
in
ten
games
in
during
March
and
early
April
left
the
Blues
perilously
close
to
the
relegation
trapdoor.
With
six
games
remaining
Molesley
was
relieved
of
his
duties
and
former
manager
Phil
Brown
came
in
with
the
task
of
securing
Football
League
status.
Unfortunately
there
was
too
little
time
to
arrest
the
slide
and
the
Blues
finished
three
points
adrift
of
safety
bringing
a
sad
end
to
101
years
consecutive
years
of
Football
League
membership
to
a
close.
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