DoDTS
The PL League Boss⭐⭐
Most of us will immediately think of Fiorentina at Roots Hall and away in 1993 but here's a couple of earlier matches which only Cricko will remember:
AJAX Amsterdam
UNITED FOR AMSTERDAM
Unless there is a last minute hitch the United will be playing on foreign soil next Wednesday for they have an invitation to visit Amsterdam and oppose the famous Ajax club. Mr. E.L. Birnie has wired acceptance of the invitation and official sanction of the F.A. has now to be obtained. The team will sail next Monday night spending Tuesday looking round the Dutch capitol and playing their match on the Wednesday. The Ajax club is the leading team in Holland and the invitation is an honour to the Southend club and the town. From the Southend Standard 16th April 1931
Wednesday 23rd April 1931
HOLLAND “B” 1-3 SOUTHEND UNITED.
The match in Amsterdam turned out to be against what was in effect the National sides second team, which was a novel idea and one not used in the Home countries, though it was suggested that this may be idea worth adopting. The game was played in front of a large crowd but Southend found the opposition poor, in fact the Dutch who described Southend as their guests admitted that the score rather flattered the home side. After half an hour Shankly sent into a shot which the goalkeeper couldn’t hold and the Blues went in at half time a goal up. In the second half Southend played at their best, Barnett scored a second, the Dutch replied, from then on it was all Southend. Shankly added a third and after that it was only a matter of, could the Dutch hold out till the end of the game.
So sadly the match against Ajax didn't happen but this next one did:
OLYMPIC MARSEILLES
CRACK FRENCH CLUB TO VISIT UNITED
Holders of the French Cup, runners up in the French League and unbeaten at home since 1936 briefly sums up the Olympic Club of Marseilles who are to visit Southend on October 19th. This crack French side is famous throughout it’s country and many clubs were anxious to play against them when it was announced that they desired to make a short tour in England next month. The United were fortunate in securing one the fixtures and the United are to play a return game at Marseilles on April 23rd and one of the conditions which has been accepted, is that manager David Jack shall turn out for the Blues. Kick off will be at 5.15 p.m. and tickets can now be obtained at 1s (ground) 2s 6d (wing stands) and 3s 6d (centre stands).
From the Southend Standard 15th September 1938
Wednesday 19th October 1938
Friendly Southend United 2-2 Olympic Club De Marseilles
Seldom can a game at the Southend Stadium have provided more interest and excitement than when Southend entertained the French Cup Winners the Olympic Club of Marseilles and it was a shame that such a small crowd as 2,790 were in attendance. When Marseilles ran onto the pitch in their white shirts and white shorts they kept single file until they reached the middle circle where they took up their positions round this and greeted the spectators with their club cry. The two outstanding personalities in the French team were Benbarek the “black pearl of Casablanca” of the side and Vasconcellos the swarthy Brazilian International goalkeeper . The visitors started in aggressive style but gradually Southend took control however the French side took the lead, Bell equalised and then scored a second just before the interval. After the break Benbarek deservedly equalised and almost had a winning goal bound shot when the final whistle went. The team had been met at the L.M.S. Station on their arrival by the directors and where entertained to lunch at the Royal Hotel and before their return to London they were able to see some of the Greyhound Racing and the Illuminations and they said they were looking forward to the return match.
Team: MacKenzie; Milne & Stokes; Harris, Jones & Leighton; Smirk, Bushby, Martin, Bell & Oswald.
CLOSE SEASON TOUR
The United have an arrangement to play a return match with the Olympic Club of Marseilles in the close season and they have since received invitations to play in Algiers, Tunis, Bone, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Paris. The United directors at their meeting on Tuesday agreed to the tour subject to the usual financial guarantees etc. The United’s visit to Colchester for a friendly match which had provisionally arranged for Thursday has now been fixed for April 17th.
From the Southend Standard 2nd March 1939
Of course 1939 the War took over and the Tour didn't happen so technically OM owe us the return fixture, come on Justin sort it out!
AJAX Amsterdam
UNITED FOR AMSTERDAM
Unless there is a last minute hitch the United will be playing on foreign soil next Wednesday for they have an invitation to visit Amsterdam and oppose the famous Ajax club. Mr. E.L. Birnie has wired acceptance of the invitation and official sanction of the F.A. has now to be obtained. The team will sail next Monday night spending Tuesday looking round the Dutch capitol and playing their match on the Wednesday. The Ajax club is the leading team in Holland and the invitation is an honour to the Southend club and the town. From the Southend Standard 16th April 1931
Wednesday 23rd April 1931
HOLLAND “B” 1-3 SOUTHEND UNITED.
The match in Amsterdam turned out to be against what was in effect the National sides second team, which was a novel idea and one not used in the Home countries, though it was suggested that this may be idea worth adopting. The game was played in front of a large crowd but Southend found the opposition poor, in fact the Dutch who described Southend as their guests admitted that the score rather flattered the home side. After half an hour Shankly sent into a shot which the goalkeeper couldn’t hold and the Blues went in at half time a goal up. In the second half Southend played at their best, Barnett scored a second, the Dutch replied, from then on it was all Southend. Shankly added a third and after that it was only a matter of, could the Dutch hold out till the end of the game.
So sadly the match against Ajax didn't happen but this next one did:
OLYMPIC MARSEILLES
CRACK FRENCH CLUB TO VISIT UNITED
Holders of the French Cup, runners up in the French League and unbeaten at home since 1936 briefly sums up the Olympic Club of Marseilles who are to visit Southend on October 19th. This crack French side is famous throughout it’s country and many clubs were anxious to play against them when it was announced that they desired to make a short tour in England next month. The United were fortunate in securing one the fixtures and the United are to play a return game at Marseilles on April 23rd and one of the conditions which has been accepted, is that manager David Jack shall turn out for the Blues. Kick off will be at 5.15 p.m. and tickets can now be obtained at 1s (ground) 2s 6d (wing stands) and 3s 6d (centre stands).
From the Southend Standard 15th September 1938
Wednesday 19th October 1938
Friendly Southend United 2-2 Olympic Club De Marseilles
Seldom can a game at the Southend Stadium have provided more interest and excitement than when Southend entertained the French Cup Winners the Olympic Club of Marseilles and it was a shame that such a small crowd as 2,790 were in attendance. When Marseilles ran onto the pitch in their white shirts and white shorts they kept single file until they reached the middle circle where they took up their positions round this and greeted the spectators with their club cry. The two outstanding personalities in the French team were Benbarek the “black pearl of Casablanca” of the side and Vasconcellos the swarthy Brazilian International goalkeeper . The visitors started in aggressive style but gradually Southend took control however the French side took the lead, Bell equalised and then scored a second just before the interval. After the break Benbarek deservedly equalised and almost had a winning goal bound shot when the final whistle went. The team had been met at the L.M.S. Station on their arrival by the directors and where entertained to lunch at the Royal Hotel and before their return to London they were able to see some of the Greyhound Racing and the Illuminations and they said they were looking forward to the return match.
Team: MacKenzie; Milne & Stokes; Harris, Jones & Leighton; Smirk, Bushby, Martin, Bell & Oswald.
CLOSE SEASON TOUR
The United have an arrangement to play a return match with the Olympic Club of Marseilles in the close season and they have since received invitations to play in Algiers, Tunis, Bone, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Paris. The United directors at their meeting on Tuesday agreed to the tour subject to the usual financial guarantees etc. The United’s visit to Colchester for a friendly match which had provisionally arranged for Thursday has now been fixed for April 17th.
From the Southend Standard 2nd March 1939
Of course 1939 the War took over and the Tour didn't happen so technically OM owe us the return fixture, come on Justin sort it out!
