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DoDTS

The PL League Boss⭐⭐
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As I have posted previously I have an article printed in every official programme this season telling the story of Season 1931-32 in 23 episides. It has been pointed out to me that not everybody attendes every match and not everyone buys a programme, so I thought I would post them here again if you've already read them sorry for boring you. I will post the other outstanding episodes over a period of time.

DodtS


Extracts from the “Forgotten Years of the Kursaal”
By Peter William Baker Researched from the Southend Standard


Football at the Kursaal was a hard game played in times of depression, on often mud pitches with no substitutes, no number on shirts, two points for a win, goal average but was football really all that different?

No.1 1931-32 A NEW SEASON
It was the twelfth season since the First World War and under the leadership of Mr. Ted Birnie and trainer Bill Cartwright Southend had built up a reputation of playing good, skilful, fast football although less talented sides had won promotion playing more basic football. The previous season had been the Blues highest finish in the Third Division finishing fifth, but supporters where bemused when few new signings were made in the close season and the squad was much the same as had finished the previous season.

The key Players were Goalkeeper Billy Moore entering his seventh season with the Blues a talented player but small in size which held him back, full backs were Jack French signed from Middlesbrough in 1925 and Dave Robinson signed from Leeds four years previously. At Centre Half was Joe Wilson in his second season, while half Backs were Tom Dixon another long serving player and the very talented Dickie Donoven who somehow hadn’t been snapped up by a bigger club. Local lad Les Clenshaw was on the left wing, while Fred Barnett the ex-Tottenham player was on the right. Two clever inside forwards were Emlyn (Mickey) Jones and Tot Pike. At centre forward Southend were very fortunate to have two successful men in Fred Baron and Jimmy Shankly, the latter being the more prolific but who was at times barracked by his own supporters for scoring the “easy” goal not the “clever” goal that 1930s Shrimpers demanded. Clearly this was a talented and experienced team, but spectators, as always wanted new blood in the assumption that the “grass is always greener”. Of the new signings which were made they included Arthur Crompton a winger from Spurs and Arthur Thomson an inside forward from Manchester United.

Pre Season friendlies didn’t as such exist, instead Public trials between the First team and the reserves took place, billed as the Blues v Stripes (black and white stripes was Southend’s away strip).

Monday 17th August 1931 The first public trial match took place with the first chance for the spectators to view the new players, the highlight of the game was the goal by Arthur Thompson (one of the few new signings) for the Stripes.

Saturday 22nd August 1931 The second trial match was a bit of a shock because the Possibles beat the Probables by 5 goals to two, but this certainly added a bit of spice to what can be tame trial matches. The win was fully deserved by the Stripes who outplayed the Blues throughout the match. Crompton opened the scoring for the Blues, Oxley and Butler replied for the Stripes while Crompton equalised with his second of the match. Oxley and Thompson made it 4-2 before Pike missed a penalty for the Blues and Fred Baron finished the romp.

TRIAL GAMES RECEIPTS
Over £130 has been distributed by the United to Hospitals and charitable institutions as a result of their two public trial matches. From the Southend Standard 10th September 1931

SATURDAY’S SOCCER START
GILLINGHAM “INVASION” EXPECTED Saturday afternoon heralds the start of the Football League campaign for 1931-32 and in all parts of the country teams will be on their mettle and anxious to make an impressive start. Once again thousands of enthusiasts will be roaring a hearty welcome to their old favourites and encouragement to the new players. Despite the fact that the majority of clubs presented an adverse balance sheet for last season, due largely to industrial depression and bad weather there seems to be no diminution in the interest amongst spectators if the attendances at the various trial matches are any indication. Where however there is no adequate or cheap shelter, bad weather always spells financial difficulties as many supporters cannot afford more than the entrance money to the ground. The coming season which represents the first quarter of a century of their existence will be a great test for the United as fine weather and large crowds are essential for their future. It will be also seen as a test from the playing point of view as so many of the Third Division clubs have been busily strengthening their sides, whereas the United have comparatively few newcomers on the books and they will have to rely largely on the men who served them so well last season.
From the Southend Standard 27th August 1931

SOUTHEND UNITED SUPPORTERS CLUB
Encouraged by the success of their efforts last season the Committee of the Supporters Club will be on duty at the first home match on Saturday endeavouring to obtain new members and new season ticket holders. An appeal is also made for further help for the refreshment buffets there being two new ones to staff.
From the Southend Standard 27th August 1931

Div 3(South)
No. 1 Saturday 29th August 1931
SOUTHEND UNITED 2-0 GILLINGHAM

Gillingham had finished sixteenth in the previous season having won four, drawn four and lost thirteen of their away games. The sun came dashing out the clouds for the opening game and 9,800 spectators paid for admission on the day, and with season ticket holders the gate was 10,300 and while a tenth of those were from Gillingham it was an excellent turnout from the Borough with counter attractions of the Carnival, cricket, tennis and bowls. The game was of a ragged nature which can be expected with new players trying to blend into a team but in Southend’s case all the players were from the previous season. The first goal came on forty minutes when Barnett was pushed violently in the back and the referee awarded a penalty with no complaints from the Gillingham players, Crompton scored from the spot. Shankly scored the second past Lewis the new Gillingham International goalkeeper recently signed from the Arsenal. However before the end spectators were leaving the ground, the game had not held their interest, but at least the Blues had started the season with two points. [/I]


London Combination: The Junior Blues got off to a disappointing start losing 0-4 at Millwall, they were a goal down at half time and it was still the same after an hour’s play but then Oxley was injured and had to leave the field, Millwall scored a penalty and then the ten men struggled against the Lions and conceded two more goals.

Div 3 (South)
29th August 1931...P....W....D....L....F...A....P
Brentford.............. 1.....1...0....0....1...0...2
Crystal Palace........1.....1....0....0....7...0...2
Northampton..........1.....1....0....0...1....0...2
SOUTHEND............1.....1....0....0....2...0...2
Brighton................1.....1....0....0....2...1...2
Reading................1.....1....0....0....2...1...2
Watford................1.....1....0....0....2...1...2
Fulham.................1.....1....0....0....5...3...2
Mansfield..............1.....1....0....0....3...2...2


Goal average applied not goal difference as the top four sides hadn’t conceded a goal they all had a goal average of 0 and therefore all four were top irrespective of how many they had scored.

Other Results
Bournemouth 2-2 Bristol Rovers
Brentford 1-0 QPR
Brighton 2-1 Norwich City
Crystal Palace 7-0 Torquay
Fulham 5-3 Coventry
Mansfield 3-2 Swindon
Northampton 1-0 Cardiff
Reading 2-1 Luton
Thames 0-0 Exeter City
Watford 2-1 Clapton Orient


Forthcoming Matches:
Monday 31st August 1931..........COVENTRY CITY v SOUTHEND UTD.....Division 3 (South)
Wednesday 2nd September 1931..Southend United v Coventry City.....London Comb.
Saturday 5th September 1931.....LUTON TOWN v SOUTHEND UNITED....Division 3 (South)
Saturday 5th September 1931.....Southend United v Luton Town..........London Comb.
 
Last edited:
DoDtS

Was this information given to you by Cricko? :cricko:

Rgds

Stats

P.S Top effort and an interesting read :clap:
 
It was the twelfth season since the First World War and under the leadership of Mr. Ted Birnie and trainer Bill Cartwright Southend had built up a reputation of playing good, skilful, fast football although less talented sides had won promotion playing more basic football. The previous season had been the Blues highest finish in the Third Division finishing fifth, but supporters where bemused when few new signings were made in the close season and the squad was much the same as had finished the previous season.

Change the names that could apply to almost any season! Nothing changes.

Great stuff though, I look forward to reading more.
 
Other Results
Bournemouth 2-2 Bristol Rovers
Brentford 1-0 QPR
Brighton 2-1 Norwich City
Crystal Palace 7-0 Torquay
Fulham 5-3 Coventry
Mansfield 3-2 Swindon
Northampton 1-0 Cardiff
Reading 2-1 Luton
Thames 0-0 Exeter City
Watford 2-1 Clapton Orient

Interestingly (or not) although the best part of eighty years has passed, 19 of the 22 clubs in our division then are still Football League sides (albeit one with a slight change of name), 2 are riding high in the Conference with a chance of getting back into the League. Only one has fallen by the wayside and that was Thames Association who only had a couple of years in the Football League anyway.
 
Dad of Dave the Shrimper said:
The key Players were Goalkeeper Billy Moore entering his seventh season with the Blues a talented player but small in size which held him back.
Blimey, I didn't realise Flavs great-grandfather played for us as well ;)
 
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