Javea Shrimper
Guest
Just receivd "Motson's National Obsession" and a fine read it is too. The Shrimpers make two or three appearances, not least the trivia referring to sh*te managerial stints; Alvin Martin is aparently the sixth worst manager EVER in English football :
1. Terry Fenwick (Northampton Town : 2003) 0.28 points per game
2. Martin Hinshelwood (Brighton & Hove Albion : 2002) 0.50 ppg
3. Peter Withe (Wimbledon : 1991-92) 0.56 ppg
4. Howard Wilkinson (Sunderland : 2002-03) 0.74 ppg
5. Steve Nicol (Notts County : 1995) 0.95 ppg
6. Alvin Martin (Southend United : 1997-99) 1.03 ppg
ALVIN MARTIN took over the reins from the disastrous Ronnie Whelan in the summer of 1997; the Shrimpers had just been relegated from the First Division with just eight wins out of 46, the worst tally since the 1921/22 season (when Southend finished bottom of the Third Division (South) and had to apply for re-election to the Football League).
As it turns out, the 1997/98 season would prove to be of little improvement. By the end of September the Shrimpers remained unbeaten at home but has lost every single game away from Roots Hall to hover just above the relegation zone. By the end of 1997 Southend were still just above the zone but just FOUR wins in the next 21 games - and a run of five straight defeats - condemned the Shrimpers to another 24th position spot and another relegations.
Martin promised to rebuild the side and bring back the golden years to Roots Hall (much like every other manager since) and after three games Southend were sitting in third place having become one of the early pace-setters. Then it all went horribly wrong once again. From the end of August to Christmas, the Shrimpers won just FOUR games and had tumbled down the division. By March 1999 were 20th and just six points from the dreaded relegation zone and the board finally had enough. Alvin Martin was sacked on 26 March 1999 and has never managed a football club since. Phew ... !
WS
1. Terry Fenwick (Northampton Town : 2003) 0.28 points per game
2. Martin Hinshelwood (Brighton & Hove Albion : 2002) 0.50 ppg
3. Peter Withe (Wimbledon : 1991-92) 0.56 ppg
4. Howard Wilkinson (Sunderland : 2002-03) 0.74 ppg
5. Steve Nicol (Notts County : 1995) 0.95 ppg
6. Alvin Martin (Southend United : 1997-99) 1.03 ppg
ALVIN MARTIN took over the reins from the disastrous Ronnie Whelan in the summer of 1997; the Shrimpers had just been relegated from the First Division with just eight wins out of 46, the worst tally since the 1921/22 season (when Southend finished bottom of the Third Division (South) and had to apply for re-election to the Football League).
As it turns out, the 1997/98 season would prove to be of little improvement. By the end of September the Shrimpers remained unbeaten at home but has lost every single game away from Roots Hall to hover just above the relegation zone. By the end of 1997 Southend were still just above the zone but just FOUR wins in the next 21 games - and a run of five straight defeats - condemned the Shrimpers to another 24th position spot and another relegations.
Martin promised to rebuild the side and bring back the golden years to Roots Hall (much like every other manager since) and after three games Southend were sitting in third place having become one of the early pace-setters. Then it all went horribly wrong once again. From the end of August to Christmas, the Shrimpers won just FOUR games and had tumbled down the division. By March 1999 were 20th and just six points from the dreaded relegation zone and the board finally had enough. Alvin Martin was sacked on 26 March 1999 and has never managed a football club since. Phew ... !
WS
