Echo News 'It was amazing' - Shrimpers legend Best enjoys his Roots Hall return

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United legend Billy Best was taken aback at the reception he received on his return to Roots Hall.

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[wivs]

So pleased King Billy got a great reception. He looked genuinely touched.
Billy was my first hero at the Shrimpers, what a player. One of my early memories was at a blues open day, in those days held at Roots Hall. I asked Billy for his autograph but the only paper I had on me was my school dinner tickets. He happily signed them all for me, needless to say I never used those tickets and went without school dinners that week. Unfortunately I no longer have those tickets.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

SOUTHEND United legend Billy Best was taken aback at the reception he received on his return to Roots Hall.
The popular former Shrimpers striker was welcomed back onto the pitch ahead of Saturday’s National League clash with Gateshead.

And Best could not believe the ovation coming his way.

“It was amazing and I couldn’t have dreamt of a welcome like that, it was just brilliant,” said Best.

“The welcome came as a lovely surprise and it was just unbelievable.

“I was amazed and I could quite easily have gone round and shook every one of their hands.

“It really took me back and I never expected that.

“I don’t know if I deserved it but I was so happy that people must have enjoyed me so I would really like to say thank you to all of the supporters.”

Best bagged 123 goals in 247 games for Blues between 1968 and 1973.

And the 82-year-old recalls his successful spell at the Shrimpers with great fondness.

“Southend was a very happy period for me,” said Best, who had not been back at the club for six years.

“I had five happy seasons there.

“I had been with Northampton for five seasons before that but I’d never really played regularly in the first team.

“I had a slow start at Southend but then it took off and I was delighted with how it went.”

Best returned to Northampton, where he still lives, following his departure from Roots Hall.

But he continues to keep an eye on his former team’s results.

“I watch the television and they sometimes show a bit of non-league football so I always keep my eye on how Southend are doing,” said Best.

“I read the Sunday papers too so I look out for the results.

“I really wish them all the very best and thank the supporters and club for making Saturday such a lovely day for me and my family. “ Best’s return was put together by the Southend United Ex-Players Association who worked alongside the club to help make it happen And SUEPA organiser Andy Leeder was pleased to welcome another popular ex player back onto the Roots Hall pitch.

“I was thrilled with how the afternoon went for Billy and his family,” said Leeder.

“The reception he got from the whole crowd was wonderful and it makes all the effort we do to put on events like this so worthwhile.

“This coming Saturday we have another special former player Ian Benjamin as our guest and I am sure he will also get a great reception.”

 

[KiwiRob]

SOUTHEND United legend Billy Best was taken aback at the reception he received on his return to Roots Hall.
The popular former Shrimpers striker was welcomed back onto the pitch ahead of Saturday’s National League clash with Gateshead.

And Best could not believe the ovation coming his way.

“It was amazing and I couldn’t have dreamt of a welcome like that, it was just brilliant,” said Best.

“The welcome came as a lovely surprise and it was just unbelievable.

“I was amazed and I could quite easily have gone round and shook every one of their hands.

“It really took me back and I never expected that.

“I don’t know if I deserved it but I was so happy that people must have enjoyed me so I would really like to say thank you to all of the supporters.”

Best bagged 123 goals in 247 games for Blues between 1968 and 1973.

And the 82-year-old recalls his successful spell at the Shrimpers with great fondness.

“Southend was a very happy period for me,” said Best, who had not been back at the club for six years.

“I had five happy seasons there.

“I had been with Northampton for five seasons before that but I’d never really played regularly in the first team.

“I had a slow start at Southend but then it took off and I was delighted with how it went.”

Best returned to Northampton, where he still lives, following his departure from Roots Hall.

But he continues to keep an eye on his former team’s results.

“I watch the television and they sometimes show a bit of non-league football so I always keep my eye on how Southend are doing,” said Best.

“I read the Sunday papers too so I look out for the results.

“I really wish them all the very best and thank the supporters and club for making Saturday such a lovely day for me and my family. “ Best’s return was put together by the Southend United Ex-Players Association who worked alongside the club to help make it happen And SUEPA organiser Andy Leeder was pleased to welcome another popular ex player back onto the Roots Hall pitch.

“I was thrilled with how the afternoon went for Billy and his family,” said Leeder.

“The reception he got from the whole crowd was wonderful and it makes all the effort we do to put on events like this so worthwhile.

“This coming Saturday we have another special former player Ian Benjamin as our guest and I am sure he will also get a great reception.”

I know it sounds corny but I believe there is sometimes is a special relationship between a person and a certain place or club. Billy Best had hardly set the world on fire before he came to Southend but it certainly clicked for him at Southend. I also have a feeling that Southend was the perfect club for Harry Cardwell and while I fully understand why he jumped at the chance of a huge pay increase in what is a short career I am not sure he will enjoy his football at Forest Green Rovers as much as he seemed to in a Southend shirt.

 

[OldBlueLady]

I know it sounds corny but I believe there is sometimes is a special relationship between a person and a certain place or club. Billy Best had hardly set the world on fire before he came to Southend but it certainly clicked for him at Southend. I also have a feeling that Southend was the perfect club for Harry Cardwell and while I fully understand why he jumped at the chance of a huge pay increase in what is a short career I am not sure he will enjoy his football at Forest Green Rovers as much as he seemed to in a Southend shirt.

Harry Cardwell is nowhere near fit to compare to Billy, in my humble opinion. I can think of a handful of players who would get that kind of reception - Powell, Barrett, Collymore, Eastwood, Maher, of course....I don't think Spud got even that sort of reception when he came back last year.

 

[Chrisb]

Harry Cardwell is nowhere near fit to compare to Billy, in my humble opinion. I can think of a handful of players who would get that kind of reception - Powell, Barrett, Collymore, Eastwood, Maher, of course....I don't think Spud got even that sort of reception when he came back last year.

I don't think @KiwiRob was comparing them as players, just highlighting how a player can click with a certain club and do well.

 

[annie1954]

Harry Cardwell is nowhere near fit to compare to Billy, in my humble opinion. I can think of a handful of players who would get that kind of reception - Powell, Barrett, Collymore, Eastwood, Maher, of course....I don't think Spud got even that sort of reception when he came back last year.

some of the above names you mentioned will always be southend united legends . but i don`t think Harry although he was with us in our dark days will ever be called a legend . [ only my opinion ]

 

[Swiss Tony]

My 19 year old grandson knew of King Billy, that is the power of a true legend, most youngsters know of him through elder fans.

 

[IloveShrimp]

Looking forward to 'Who put the ball in the Bury net'!

 

[Gary Essex]

Like many others here, I was privileged to have watched the two FA Cup games against King's Lynn and Brentwood in 1968 and to have stood on the North Bank as Billy Best ran riot in the final few minutes of the 10-1 humbling of Brentwood.
The King's Lynn player-manager was Welshman Reg Davies and when I briefly lived to Perth, Australia in 1974 he was the manager of our local team Ascot - a side my cousin-in-law played for.

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

I don't think @KiwiRob was comparing them as players, just highlighting how a player can click with a certain club and do well.

I do think you have got the point made. In the same way, a more recent player who "fitted" here was BBBC.

 

[tsbl2000]

I was lucky enough to be in the Legends Lounge and to meet Billy and his family on Saturday. I had my eldest grandson with me. He has heard so much about Billy Best over the years and I was chuffed when my grandson wanted to have his picture taken with Billy, by the mural. Billy was so generous with his time that day, and I must admit it was emotional to know that my grandson could meet the great man who gave me so many wonderful memories, home and away, in my early teenage years. Thank you Billy.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

It's been said elsewhere but also thanks to @B.B.The Legend Lives On.
You know, Dave, that devotion to keeping the fires burning is as legendary as your handle!

 

[Sleaford Shrimper]

I've watched all of Southend's greatest players since my first match at Roots Hall as a 16-year-old in 1966 and none of them have a bigger place in my memory than Billy Best. His goalscoring touch and attitude to the game were what made the cost of the journey from Basildon on a Friday night worth every penny. In those days, football was entertainment and there was nothing more entertaining than watching an attacking Southend team with two wingers crossing the ball for a big centre forward and the little fella alongside him to bury in the opposition's net. Of course, we didn't always win and many of our players were not the most skilful but we played to win rather than playing not to lose. I feel sorry for all of you younger folk who have never had those experiences and, sadly, probably never will in the modern age of boring, robot-formula football.

 

[blues exile]

I've watched all of Southend's greatest players since my first match at Roots Hall as a 16-year-old in 1966 and none of them have a bigger place in my memory than Billy Best. His goalscoring touch and attitude to the game were what made the cost of the journey from Basildon on a Friday night worth every penny. In those days, football was entertainment and there was nothing more entertaining than watching an attacking Southend team with two wingers crossing the ball for a big centre forward and the little fella alongside him to bury in the opposition's net. Of course, we didn't always win and many of our players were not the most skilful but we played to win rather than playing not to lose. I feel sorry for all of you younger folk who have never had those experiences and, sadly, probably never will in the modern age of boring, robot-formula football.

Exactly my recollection of those times. Before the arrival of Best and Moore, we had Woodley and McKinven on the wings who were very different. Woodley fast and direct, McKinven silky skills and clever touches and both knew where the goal was. Always entertaining whatever the result. What a pity there is so little footage of those times, such a contrast to the drab fare we see today.

 

[tsbl2000]

Exactly my recollection of those times. Woodley and McKinven on the wings were very different. Woodley fast and direct, McKinven silky skills and clever touches and both knew where the goal was. Gary Moore and Billy Best, the perfect combination waiting for those crosses. Always entertaining whatever the result. What a pity there is so little footage of those times, such a contrast to the drab fare we see today.

Johnny Mac was probably my favourite ever left winger for the Blues. He took a good penalty too.

 

[wivs]

Johnny Mac was probably my favourite ever left winger for the Blues. He took a good penalty too.

Very good player. I remember him breaking his leg against Lincoln. Seem to recall hearing that it was Graham Taylor the future England manager that did it. Not sure how true that is?

 

[blues exile]

Johnny Mac was probably my favourite ever left winger for the Blues. He took a good penalty too.

My favourite in the 60s and probably the reason I got really hooked on the Blues

Very good player. I remember him breaking his leg against Lincoln. Seem to recall hearing that it was Graham Taylor the future England manager that did it. Not sure how true that is?

Yes it was Taylor. I was watching the game from a few steps up on the south bank so quite close to the scene.

 

[tsbl2000]

My favourite in the 60s and probably the reason I got really hooked on the Blues

Yes it was Taylor. I was watching the game from a few steps up on the south bank so quite close to the scene.

The noise of his leg breaking was sickening...

 

[blues exile]

The noise of his leg breaking was sickening...

Yes, it seemed to echo all round and after 50+ years ago I can still hear it. Lincoln were a side that took no prisoners but we won 3-0 as I recall. JM was never the same player again after Taylor's late, late tackle.