
Over 1,000 fans will travel by rail, road and air to Blackpool this week-end to support Southend United in their stiffest task in post-war football, when they meet Blackpool in the Third Round proper of the F.A. Cup on Saturday. United players came under club orders on Tuesday when they made the Palace Hotel their headquarters.
BLACKPOOL SEND “WARNING” COFFINS
A Lorry from a firm in Blackpool pulled into Southend Gas Works on Wednesday laden with materials for the stores and three miniature coffins, warning Southend United Supporters of their teams fate in the F.A. Cup third round tie at Blackpool on Saturday. Inscriptions on the coffins of which several had been distributed during the journey were as follows: “Was it worth the bus and train fare? Southend United fell in the presence of duty! Send flowers and Good wishes”. About ten men from the Gas Works are travelling to Blackpool by Train and one is flying.
F.A.Cup Round 3
Saturday 7th January 1950
Blackpool 4-0 Southend United.
The inevitable happened, Southend proved no match for First Division Blackpool and made their exit from the F.A. Cup in the third round proper. It was a great occasion and Blues will be the first to admit that they were beaten by a far superior side.
United were hypnotised by the twinkling feet of Stanley Matthews who delighted the home crowd by taking the ball right up to the Blues defenders and then taking it away again. The goals came from Matthews’s brain and a firm half back line which took a firm grip of the game. For thirty minutes Southend made a fight of it and threw everything they had into the game and at this stage there was little between the sides, then Blackpool obtained their first goal shortly followed by their second and Blues were out of the game.
Before the kick off the United supporters flag ,with the attendant rattles and horns was paraded round the ground in fine style, then Blackpool in celebration of Stan Matthews selecting the club colours for his racing stable paraded a donkey round the grounds decked in the distinctive tangerine and white colours.
The ground was soaked by two days rain and was extremely heavy, but Blues kicked off with a rush and held their own until the 33rd minute. United were surprised by a long throw into the goalmouth which was driven into the net, straight from the kick off Wakefield burst threw but the ball was cleared to Matthews who brought the ball up the wing and crossed for Mortensen to fire through a crowd of players to score the second. There was no further score in the first half but the second resumed with Blackpool still in control and the third goal followed ten minutes after the interval, Matthews beautifully sending in a free kick which was headed home. The final goal was a penalty after Frank Walton, who had the unenviable task of marshalling Matthews, brought him down in the area. The attendance 24,532.
Team: Hankey; Loughran and Walton; Wallbanks, Sheard and French; Jones, McAlinden, Wakefield, Morris and Clough.
Southend’s visit to Blackpool will long be remembered by Southend and Blackpool representatives. Members of the United party attended a civic luncheon given by the Mayor. The famous Blackpool trams were placed at the disposal of the visitors for tours of the town and playing at one of the theatres was Scott Sanders who had entertained United before the Wrexham game.
The special train from Southend arrived late at its destination, but supporters were able to make the ground in comfortable time. The air contingent arrived just after 11 a.m. and included Mrs. Harry Warren and her daughter Sheila making their first air trip. The air travellers returned to Southend just after 6.30 p.m. while the special train arrived in Southend just after midnight.
Enthusiasm ran high in Southend, for large crowds gathered outside the offices of the Southend Standard in Cliff Town road where a commentary of the game was posted up every fifteen minutes.
At the time of writing it looks as though Southend will pay a heavy price for their trip to Blackpool, for skipper Jimmy McAlinden was badly injured during the game and it look as though he will be doubtful for the game against Notts. County. Also on the trainers list is Len Jones who had a rough passage and who might be a doubtful starter for this important match. Gates will be opened early and a record gate is expected.
From the Southend Standard