MK Shrimper
Striker
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2005
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Liverpool, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest footballer Stan Collymore on Twitter.
Hello chaps, long time no see!
First things first, apologies for not checking in for about three years. I was a regular on this board until I ended up with a job covering Premier League football for a Asian newspaper and life hasn't really been the same since. These days, I live in the North-East, I've got a wife and baby, and I only made my first visit to Roots Hall (as a fan, at least) since 2007 for the Barnet game. Frankly, I didn't think I had a lot to offer the conversation! Not unless you want to know about Newcastle and Sunderland anyway...
But enough of that. I'm contributing a chapter to a forthcoming collection of football writing, featuring people like Ian Ridley, Jonathan Wilson and Duncan White, and I wanted to do mine on Stan Collymore. I'm going to speak to him and Barry Fry about his time at Roots Hall, but I also wanted to get a few memories from you. I can still remember standing on the open terracing in the north-west corner watching him roar through the gears, pace and power burning a hole through the Luton backline. What can you remember? What are your standout memories of his brief time with us? Was it always apparent that he was WAY too good for us?
If you feel like jotting down a memory of Stan at Southend, I'll pick the best ones and work them into the chapter. Sound good?
Hello chaps, long time no see!
First things first, apologies for not checking in for about three years. I was a regular on this board until I ended up with a job covering Premier League football for a Asian newspaper and life hasn't really been the same since. These days, I live in the North-East, I've got a wife and baby, and I only made my first visit to Roots Hall (as a fan, at least) since 2007 for the Barnet game. Frankly, I didn't think I had a lot to offer the conversation! Not unless you want to know about Newcastle and Sunderland anyway...
But enough of that. I'm contributing a chapter to a forthcoming collection of football writing, featuring people like Ian Ridley, Jonathan Wilson and Duncan White, and I wanted to do mine on Stan Collymore. I'm going to speak to him and Barry Fry about his time at Roots Hall, but I also wanted to get a few memories from you. I can still remember standing on the open terracing in the north-west corner watching him roar through the gears, pace and power burning a hole through the Luton backline. What can you remember? What are your standout memories of his brief time with us? Was it always apparent that he was WAY too good for us?
If you feel like jotting down a memory of Stan at Southend, I'll pick the best ones and work them into the chapter. Sound good?
Welcome back and as TB says there's no need to be a stranger. I know what it is like to be exiled in the frozen North. Which neatly brings me to my abiding memory of Stan. I was exiled in Yorkshire in thos pre internet and SZ days, and kept hearing the reports of this incredible player we had signed.
I managed to see a couple of home games and was amazed that we had signed a player of such ability but also as why the heck Palace had let him go. In those days because of our division 1 status we entered the FA Cup at the 3rd round stage. We drew Huddersfield away in the 4th Round, (we had beaten Millwall in Round 3)It was a short journey for me then, and it must have been at the McAlpine (Galpharm as it is today), a cold wet day and a muddy pitch. Southend IIRC playing in yellow, Stan collected the ball in our half, looked up and set of on a mazy run, where I swear he beat all the Huddersfield players before planting the ball in the net past a stunned keeper. He scored the 2nd in a 2-1 win.
What a player. Billy Best is my all time favourite Blues player, but Stan.....probably the best player in a Southend shirt I've seen, he had the lot and was obviously destined to play much higher level than we could offer.
Definitely at Leeds Road.canveyshrimper said:Welcome back and as TB says there's no need to be a stranger. I know what it is like to be exiled in the frozen North. Which neatly brings me to my abiding memory of Stan. I was exiled in Yorkshire in thos pre internet and SZ days, and kept hearing the reports of this incredible player we had signed.
I managed to see a couple of home games and was amazed that we had signed a player of such ability but also as why the heck Palace had let him go. In those days because of our division 1 status we entered the FA Cup at the 3rd round stage. We drew Huddersfield away in the 4th Round, (we had beaten Millwall in Round 3)It was a short journey for me then, and it must have been at the McAlpine (Galpharm as it is today), a cold wet day and a muddy pitch. Southend IIRC playing in yellow, Stan collected the ball in our half, looked up and set of on a mazy run, where I swear he beat all the Huddersfield players before planting the ball in the net past a stunned keeper. He scored the 2nd in a 2-1 win.
What a player. Billy Best is my all time favourite Blues player, but Stan.....probably the best player in a Southend shirt I've seen, he had the lot and was obviously destined to play much higher level than we could offer.
Ecellent memories - only, surely it was at Leeds Road?
Definitely at Leeds Road.
For me, Stan was one of only 3 players we've had who made me stand up whenever they got the ball. (Freddy and Bilel the other 2). It was the sheer anticipation of what he would do next.
My abiding memory is of a home game against Bristol Rovers. We needed to win as we were in dire trouble at the foot of the table. I think it was 0-0 at h/t, but in the 2nd half Stan got the ball on the half-way line, with his back to the Rovers goal, and a defender tight to him. As he got the ball the guy next to me said " he'll score here". Anyway Stan rolled the defender, took the ball on, beat another guy, then smacked the ball into the top corner from about 30 yards out. The gut next to me just said "told ya". :smiles:
Great memories of a great player
It was definitely a night match, not sure if it was Tuesday or Friday though.dannypav said:Being old , my memory is shot to pieces , but the goal you just described is one that seems to be there in my mind.
Was it a Friday night match ?
If yes , then I am not going completely mad and agree that was a real 'stand out' moment.
If it wasn't a Friday , then my initial comment stands true
It was definitely a night match, not sure if it was Tuesday or Friday though.
Cheers for that , the reminder brought back a lot of good memories.
I can still see that shot now heading for the top corner.
Can't believe it was nearly 20 years ago.