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Episode 42 - 1954-55 the Last Season at the Stadium

Episode 36
Southend the unluckiest side in the Division?

No.35 Div 3 (South) Saturday 2nd April 1955

Southend United 0-1 Southampton.
There can be no doubt that Southend are the unluckiest team in the Division when they had 80 per cent of the play, but Southampton thanks to a lone goal secured both points. In the first half the Blues had 13 shots at goal compared to Southampton’s three and in the last 20 minutes Blues forced six corners. Over anxiousness and poor finishing were responsible for yet another defeat of the Blues. Hollis worked hard throughout but little or no support from his inside-forwards and was often the lone raider for the Blues. The only goal of the match came in the 34th minute when a shot was sent in but Threadgold failed to gather properly and the ball slithered over the line. Spectators in the stand were surprised at the shrill vocal encouragement for Southampton. It was provided by a party of 12 to 13 year old schoolboy footballers from a school at Cowes who were on a week-end visit to Rayleigh school.
Team: Threadgold; Young and A. Anderson; Duthie, Howe and Duffy; Lockhart, Baron, Hollis, Whyte and McDonald.

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LABOURERS WANTED FOR ROOTS HALL
In the programme was an advertisement which read “Wanted first class general labourers - Applicants are requested to contact the Foreman of Works at Roots Hall Football Ground for details re Pay, Hours of Work etc”

Monday 4th April 1955 Essex Professional Cup Semi-Final

Southend United 2-0 Leyton Orient.
Southend United will meet West Ham in the final of the Essex Professional Cup after defeating Leyton Orient 2-0 at the Stadium. It was a good, hard game against a strong Orient side while Blues hampered by injuries had to include several members of the “A” team. Grant opened the scoring in the 65th minute when he headed home a Baron cross. Ten minutes later Anderson crashing home a Bridge pass.
Team: Scannell; Oakley and T. Ruark; Burns, Sheard and Lawler; A. Goddard, Anderson, Grant, Bridge and Barker.

Next Thursday Episode 37

Easter 1955 - Three games in four days
 
Episode 37
Easter 1955 - Three games in four days

EASTER 1955

No.36 Div 3 (South) Friday 8th April 1955

Colchester United 2-0 Southend United.
Although Colchester dominated the first half and secured two early goals, Blues were still unlucky not to save a point for in the second half they gave the Colchester defence a gruelling time. A little more precision in the passing and better finishing would have seen them share the honours. Whyte was non-stop throughout the game and Baron hit the bar in the 75th minute and two minutes later Hollis raced in with what looked like a certain goal but he shot at the goalkeeper. Colchester had taken the lead in the eighteenth minute when the ball was nodded over Threadgold’s head and five minutes later a second was added from a goalmouth melee.
Team: Threadgold; Young and A. Anderson; Duthie, Howe and Duffy; Lockhart, Baron, Hollis, Whyte and McDonald.

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Friday 8th April 1955 - Football Combination:
Southend United 3-2 Bristol Rovers.

One of the best games of the season was seen at the Stadium when the Reserves gained revenge over Bristol Rovers for the 0-6 defeat they suffered the previous week. Jackie Bridge opened the scoring in the fifteenth minute bur Rovers soon equalised. Essex cricketer Gordon Barker put the Blues in the lead again, and Rovers equalised again, before Barker scored again this time without reply from Bristol.

No.37 Div 3 (South) Saturday 9th April 1955
Millwall 1-4 Southend United.
Southend United staggered Millwall by winning 4-1 in what can only be described as magnificent performance. After the Blues disappointing performance at Colchester not even the staunchest of Blues supporters would have rated their chances very highly, so perhaps the surprise made it all the more pleasant. However after the first fifteen minutes it seemed more likely that Millwall would run up a sizable score, and this fear was reinforced further when Millwall took the lead in the 36th minute. Within two minutes Blues equalised with a twice taken free kick from Anderson rebounded to Hollis whose drive crashed into the net. This goal was the turning point of the game and Blues played some fine open football. Three minutes from half-time the Millwall fans were shocked when Blues took the lead, Hollis and Grant drew the defence the ball flashed across to Baron who netted with a low shot. In the second half Millwall stormed into the attack but Threadgold pulled of some remarkable saves, In the 80th minute Blues went further ahead, again Hollis drawing the defence and slipped the ball to Whyte who took the pass and netted. To really rub salt into the wound Cyril Grant headed in a Baron free-kick to complete a really fine win.
Team: Threadgold; Young and A. Anderson; Duffy, Howe and Lawler; Whyte,Grant, Hollis, Baron and Barker.

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In the Millwall programme, “Voice of Millwall” it states “Southend United might be termed the bravest club in England. For while all of us are seriously troubled by declining attendances which are creating very real financial problems, Southend take the bold action of moving to a new ground capable of holding between 30,000 to 40,000 spectators.

Saturday 9th April 1955 - Football Combination:
Southend United 2-1 Fulham.

Spectators at the Stadium had little excuse to excise their lungs in the first half for it was played at a walking pace with Fulham missing chances galore. The second half was livelier although the visitors did indulge in some robust tackling and had two of their players names taken by the referee. Blues went ahead in the 67th minute through McDonald but Fulham soon equalised. Fourteen minutes from time Lockhart got the winner with a fierce shot from close range.

No.38 Div 3 (South) Monday 11th April 1955

Southend United 4-2 Colchester United.
Southend gained their revenge over Colchester in front of 14,000 supporters in blazing sunshine, although Colchester took an early lead Southend soon afterwards equalised and after that there was only one side in it, the Blues. Colchester started strongly and took the klead in the 8th minute, Hollis equalised four minutes later, Whyte beta four men in a brilliant run upfield and there was Hollis to connect with the pass. In the 21st minute Blues went further ahead when Grant headed home a Baron centre. Colchester were struggling now and three minutes before the interval Grant headed the third. The second half was but a minute old when Hollis netted the fourth running on to Baron’s pass and lobbed the ball over the advancing goalscorer. Both sides slowed up after this and two minutes from tome Colchester gained a late consolation with a short range drive.Team: Threadgold; Young and A. Anderson; Duffy, Howe and Lawler; Whyte,Grant, Hollis, Baron and Barker.

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11th April 1955 - Football Combination:
B
rentford 5-1 Southend United.
Because of players being called up for the first team the Reserves were somewhat depleted and included two amateurs and paid the price being beaten 1-5. Blues only goal being scored by Johnny Chase.

ROOTS HALL PRE-VIEW
Now that the better weather is here rapid progress is being made at our future home. Those of you who are in the neighbourhood this Eastertide may care to look in and get a pre-view of what the ground will look like in August 1955. Some concern has been expressed over the condition of the playing pitch but we are assured on the best authority that those fears are unfounded and that all will be well when the great opening day arrives. It is to be fervently hoped that this will be so.

FOOTBALL EVERY SATURDAY
Years ago it was an established fact and practice that “when your first team was at HOME the reserves were AWAY” and vice versa which meant ever-open doors on Saturdays. During the post-war seasons this established principle has been overlooked, forgotten or avoided in order perhaps to accommodate an excess of applicants in some competitions. Now however we are pleased that the Football Combination is attempting to remedy this state of affairs as far as this competition is concerned. Next season there will be no blank Saturdays as have occasionally happened, except when a Cup Tie breaks the alternative “first” and “second” arrangements. The Combination as a real competitions may suffer slightly but the new arrangements will be much more satisfactory than the present.​

Next Thursday Episode 38:
Testimonial against Portsmouth?
 
Episode 38:
Testimonial against Portsmouth?

No.39 Div 3 (South) Saturday 16th April 1955
Southend United 1-2 Leyton Orient.

Blues threw away two valuable points, after two dazzling performances over Easter, this was a very disappointing and disheartening performance. The defence with the exception of Duffy and Lawler were shaky while Hollis again had to fulfill the “lone star raider” role. Orient played the better type of football, they moved the ball about well and took full advantage of the windy conditions. The game was by no means one sided in fact the Blues probably had 70 per cent of the game but were once again let down by poor finishing. United started well but in the early stages the Orient centre-half was penalized for vigorous tackles on Hollis. Orient were playing long balls down the middle and in the 11th minute a corner was forced and the kick was caught by the wind and the ball was headed into the net. This reverse spurred the Blues into action and after 40 minutes of end to end play United equalised. Hollis took a through ball broke through the defence and after drawing the goalkeeper scored with a low drive. In the second half although Blues were having the majority of the play they just did not look dangerous. In the 60th minute Orient scored the all important goal, Threadgold came out to smother the ball but was dispossessed and the ball netted while ne was lying on the ground. The crowd of just over 9,000 was a good one but this performance will certainly not inspire for the future.
Team: Threadgold; Young and A. Anderson; Duffy, Howe and Lawler; Whyte,Grant, Hollis, Baron and Barker.

In the official programme was an advertisement “Wanted at Roots hall cleaning staff and Car park attendants”

Saturday 16th April 1955 - Football Combination:
Reading 3-1 Southend United.

Two goals in the first six minutes were a great start for Reading and although Blues fought back in the second half they had to retire beaten. Reading scored after four minutes following a corner and added a second two minutes later. McDonald hit the bar but Reading went further ahead in the 16th minute and at this stage looked like running up a cricket score. Southend stopped the rut in the 28th minute with a lucky goal when a Lockhart shot took a deflection into the net. Just on the interval Reading were awarded a penalty but they hit the bar and in the second half Oakley had his name taken by the referee.

Tuesday 19th April 1954 - Testimonial match:
Southend United 2-2 Portsmouth.

The match was in aid of Jimmy Lawler’s benefit and a good crowd was in attendance but supporters were disappointed by the strength of both sides. Southend opened the score after five minutes when Anderson headed a Goddard centre and Portsmouth equalised nine minutes later. Amateur centre forward johhny Chase gave the Blues the lead in the second half but ten minutes from time Portsmouth drew level. Harry Warren commented that he had seven players injured and then two more reported unfit and with a League match the next day he had therefore been forced to field a weakened team.

Sir We were told that a strong Portsmouth team was coming to Southend, well they must have got lost on the way. The team that did turn out at least looked spick and span, while the United wore shirts which many years ago were originally Blue. The supporters certainly expected a better effort and the match was apparently not even worthy of a new ball. High Street, Southend.

No.40 Div 3 (South) Wednesday - 20th April 1955
Swindon Town 0-1 Southend United.

Southend owed much to the stubbornness of their defence and to two or three good saves by Threadgold in the second half when Swindon were doing most of the attacking after conceded a penalty goal. Anderson had grazed the Swindon crossbar in the first minute with a terrific free-kick, Swindon were also unlucky early on but much of the football in the first half was erratic. The penalty was awarded two minutes after the interval when Hollis was brought down in the area, Anderson’s powerful spot kick gave the goalkeeper no chance. After this Swindon got on top and if their finishing had not been so poor they would have scored two or three times. The Southend defenders were given little respite but although Swindon’s spirit improved their organisation was poor.
Team: Threadgold; Young and A. Anderson; Bridge, Howe and Lawler; Whyte,Grant, Hollis, Baron and Barker.

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Next Thursday Episode 39:
The North Bank Roofed -Joe Sibley released
 
Episode 39:
The North Bank Roofed -Joe Sibley released

No.41 Div 3 (South) Saturday 23rd April 1955
Gillingham 1-1 Southend United.

United gained a useful point but it was a very scrappy game, Blues tried to play football but once again the wingmen were disappointing while Harry Threadgold was the hero of the day saving three certain goals. Gillingham plunged into attack from the very start and Blues had an early escape when an unmarked player headed wide, but United also had their chances. After sixty minutes Gillingham went ahead when Duffy tackled Gillingham's top scorer who fell to the ground. The referee ordered a penalty despite the protests of the Blues players and from the spot kick Threadgold had no chance. After this reverse Blues combined well but Hollis still lacked support from his inside-forwards. In the 73rd minute Baron scored which was the highlight of the match. His dazzling run beat man after man before netting. After this Blues pressed hard for the winner but without success.
Team: Threadgold; Young and A. Anderson; Duffy, Howe and Lawler; Whyte,Grant, Hollis, Baron and Barker.

Saturday 23rd April 1955 - Football Combination:
Southend United 5-2 Watford.

A hat-trick by Leslie Dicker and a brace by Jack McDonald enabled Blues to record their most convincing win of the season. The margin could have been a lot greater if all the scoring chances had been accepted, and Watford scored their two during the Blues “rest” period. Blues opened the scoring in the 14th minute through Dicker and the same player scored again before half time. Straight after the restart McDonald added the third and a few minutes later the fourth. Blues took a breather and while they did this Watford scored their two and Dicker completed the scoring. Footnote; What’s happened to the ball boys?

No.42 Div 3 (South) Tuesday 26th April 1955
Southend United 1-0 Millwall
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United completed the double over Millwall but as a match it was not a thrilling spectacle and the standard of football by both sides was low. Both sides missed many chances particularly in the first half, Threadgold was constantly in the action and acquitted himself well, but the Blues attack was unbalanced the wingers being far from satisfactory. Blues had most of the play and there were some uplifting moments but half-time came without score. Blues supporters had to wait until twelve minutes from time before seeing the only goal of the match, a pass came over from Barker and there was Hollis to head the ball just inside the post. Blues deserved their victory and with just four matches to play their position is secure.
Team: Threadgold; Young and A. Anderson; Duffy, Howe and Lawler; Whyte,Grant, Hollis, Baron and Barker.

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ENTERTAINMENT TAX
Southend United management are bitterly disappointed that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has not relieved them of the burden of entertainment tax in the budget. Blues were banking on some relief for it was felt that football would be treated the same as cricket and relieved of the burden altogether. Last year United paid out £5,916 in entertainment tax, a very heavy drag on a club where gates are not great and this figure may increase in the coming year.

DEVELOPMENTS AT ROOTS HALL
Messrs. Boulton and Paul are rapidly progressing with the steelwork for the main stand at Roots Hall, while the North Stand is the first of the stands to be roofed. The seating plan for the main stand will be available to season ticket holders from May 1st who will be available to select their seats. After May new applications will be considered. The price of season tickets remain at £6 6s (£6.30).

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PLAYERS NOT RETAINED
The Southend Supporters were totally shocked and united in their condemnation of the club management, at the news that Joe Sibley was not going to be retained. Sibley is perfectly willing to stay and has had 200 appearances with the League side since he returned from Newcastle five years ago. He is still playing extremely well, would have been due a benefit next year and the general feeling was that he should have been kept for at least one more year. The six players not retained are Jack McDonald, Bill Pavitt, Joe Sibley, Bobbie Foote, Tommy Scannell and Leslie Dicker. Blues are reportedly in negotiations for two First Division Players.

Next Thursday Episode 40;
The Last match at the Stadium
 
Great work as always. My Dad told me about the new stadium as it opened a few years only before my birth...I like to imagine what must surely have been a huge wave of optimism for the future among the supporters. Finally the club had by the standards of 1955 a magnificent new home and people must have been excited to see if this would lead to the club realising its potential...I d like to hear from anyone who has memories of this special time.My Dad was friendly with Sid Broomfield and Ray Davey.
 
An extract from one of Sid Broomfield's many obituaries:

"Sid Broomfield was a true Southend United hero. Armed with just picks and shovels, he and a few willing volunteers crafted the banks of terracing that would become Roots Hall. This was just a small part of the “little job” that chairman Alderman Smith had asked Sid to do back in 1953, with supporters having raised £74,000 to build a home for their club. The land on which Roots Hall was built was a quarry, tens of feet lower than the previous pitch that had stood on the site when the club was founded, uneven and strewn with waste. It took two years before the first game could be played, against Norwich City in 1955, with groundsman Sid leading the way with only the help of volunteers and supporters and even the player, who were paid to help with the construction during the summer months. The mighty South Bank, 72 steps high and finished in 1962, became its crowning glory",
 
Episode 40;
The Last match at the Stadium

No.43 Div 3 (South) Saturday 30th April 1955
Southend United 3-2 Brentford.
There was only one topic of conversation on everybody’s lips and that was the non-retention of Joe Sibley. Yet this was a milestone match the last match at the Stadium, the ground that has been the home of Southend United for many years. In the circumstances t was fitting that the Blues won the match, but it was a hard game and United were hard pressed at times. Former Blues hero Frank Dudley lead the line for Brentford and was given a warm welcome by the crowd. After 26 minutes Dudley headed the visitors into the lead, Blues retaliated strongly and launched a series of raids which culminated after 36 minutes when the ball was handled when trying to steer the ball away from Hollis. The referee immediately awarded a penalty and Sandy Anderson made no mistake from the spot. In the second half Dudley hit the post, but Blues were starting to play better football. After 50 minutes Blues went into the lead, when Barker scored his first League goal for the club from a Lockhart corner. A few minutes later however Dudley equalised for Brentford with a good drive. In the closing stages Hollis gained the winning goal, breaking through from Grants pass to crack the ball into the back of the net. Late in the game Young and Dudley were in collision, Young received a Bad cut which needed stitches while Dudley was suffering from concussion and was under medical care.
Team: Threadgold; Young and A. Anderson; Duffy, Howe and Lawler; Barker, Grant, Hollis, Baron and Lockhart.


No.44 Div 3 (South) Monday 2nd May 1955

Walsall 4-1 Southend United.
Blues fought hard even though they had nothing at stake to beat a Walsall side desperate for points at the foot of the table. The Seasiders only arrived at the ground a few minutes before the kick-off and in consequence their play suffered in the early stages. There was very little to choose between the teams, Walsall were steadier in defence while Southend moved more like a unit in attack. It came as a nasty jolt to the home supporters when after 24 minutes Duthie took the ball down field passed to Sibley then took the return and slid the ball home from what looked like an impossible angle, however Walsall were on terms within two minutes. There was no further scoring in the first half but five minutes into the second period Walsall scored again with a “gift” goal. Southend weathered the storm and were starting to get on top but seven minutes from time Walsall scored again from a breakaway. The crowds were streaming home when Walsall scored the fourth following a long ball.
Team: Scannell; Howe and A. Anderson; Duthie, Stirling and Lawler; Sibley, W.Anderson, Hollis, Baron and Lockhart.
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Next Thursday Episode 41
Blues finish the Season with two more away games
 
Episode 41
Blues finish the Season with two more away games

No.45 Div 3 (South) Wednesday 4th May 1955
Coventry City 1-4 Southend United.
After the Walsall game the team stayed overnight at Braford near Leamington, it was a chaotic and hectic period fitting in four games in six games, three of them away. It was more a case of fulfilling fixtures and few expected too much result wise. Blues went into the fixture in 15th place while their hosts were seventh only losing twice at home all season. Yet Blues always full of surprises won the match 4-1 over Coventry who had been the early season leaders of the Division, with Chrichton Lockhart scoring a hat-trick and Roy Hollis getting the other. This fourth away win of the season raised the Blues to thirteenth place in the table just two points below Coventry who had dropped to ninth place. Team: Scannell;Duffy and A. Anderson; Duthie, Stirling and Bridge; Sibley, W.Anderson, Hollis, Baron and Lockhart.

Wednesday 4th May 1955 - Football Combination:
Ipswich Town 7-2 Southend United.

The Blues suffered a heavy defeat at Ipswich in front of 1;500 spectators.

Sir – As a supporter of Southend United I was shocked to hear Sibley was not retained for next season. He has given, and is still capable of giving, valuable service to the club. Next season he would have been due for a benefit. Is this the reason for his dismissal?
Merilles Close, Westcliff.

No.46 Div 3 (South) Thursday 5th May 1955
Brentford 2-2 Southend United.
Gaining a point away from home is always worth while but otherwise Blues can have few happty reflections from this end of season game. It was understandable after such a hectic period that apathy and staleness should creap into their game. Southend opened the scoring after fifteen minutes when Hollis with a subtle flick left the defence stranded and Sibley an easy chance to net. They didn’t keep the lead long, five minutes later Brentford equalised. The second Southend goal came after 65 minutes when a perfectly judged through pass enabled Baron to dart through and whip the ball through with a rising drive. It was fitting that Dudley the most enterprising of the Brentford forwards should score the equalising goal. Although only drawing Blues went up three places to finish in tenth place, on goal average above three other sides, their highest placing since February.
Team: Scannell;Duffy and A. Anderson; Duthie, Stirling and Bridge; Sibley, W.Anderson, Hollis, Baron and Lockhart

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The Tour of Malta and the Sibley Situation
Important news that United are having second thoughts on the question of whether Joe Sibley should be retained has been received. It is understood that he has been offered terms but he has left with his teammates for Malta it is not known what his answer is. Southend united left from Southend Airport on the 9th May for their tour of the George Cross Island. Also with the party is Dickie Dowsett who was signed from Tottenham Hotspur just before the departure for the tour.

On arrival in Malta they were greeted by a “Times of Malta” placard that read “Southend United Arrive –Scotland Yard Reshuffle”. While the people of Southend have been dodging the showers the United have been basking and training in brilliant sunshine with the temperature hovering between 73 and 80 degrees.

Wednesday 11th May 1955
Hamrun Spartans 0-1 Southend United.

On seeing the ground Harry Warren remarked “the ground is exceptionally hard, very much like a hard tennis court. The pitch is very dusty and the balls are soft but they bounce very high”. First shock for the United were the mounted police riding amongst the spectators who stand behind the high wire fences and the Police use their long truncheons hard and well if required. Blues won their first match by a single goal scored by newcomer Dickie Dowsett latest signing from Spurs and he played exceptionally well.

Saturday 14th May 1955
Silema Wanderers 1-2 Southend United

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Hollis opened the scoring but the home side equalised just before half time. In the second half Lockhart scored the winner. Despite only winning by a single goal the score should have been a lot greater.

Sunday 15th May 1955
Floriana 1-2 Southend United.

Floriana are the crack side of Malta and said to be the equivalent of a First Division side. Their goalkeeper had been given a day off from the Army where he is serving 14 days to play in the match. John Duffy unfortunately fractured his left wrist in a fall on the iron-like pitch. An ambulance was parked inside the playing area along with troops of mounted police. The ambulance drove Duffy to hospital with bells ringing like a fire engine and then drove him back to the match with his arm in plaster. Blues won the match with goals from Baron and Hollis.

Tuesday 17th May 195
Catania 3-2 Southend United.

The “Times of Malta” newspaper stated “After the corned beef and hard tack we have been having as our Stadium fare for most of the season the Southend-Catania match is caviar served up by soccer chefs who knew what the customer wanted”. In front of a record crowd it was Catania’s victory but Southend’s glory. “We expected the polish from Catania and the thrust of Southend but what we did not expect was that this modest Third Division side what put on a performance that any First Division side would be proud of”. Southend played skilful, fast, effective football and but for some incredible misses would have won the game. Lawler and baron scored for the Blues.


The service personnel on Malta gave the Blues a great reception with many invitations, harry warren said “the team were dog tired having played themselves into the ground for the sake of British prestige. The team had put up a magnificent performance and the British Community were immensely proud of them” Before the Blues left the George Cross Island they were paid a wonderful tribute by the footballing authorities who stated “We would like to thank you for making the tour. It has been the most popular visit to Malta of a Football League side this has been the most enjoyable of 55 tours by league sides to the island.

Next Thursday Episode 42 (Final Episode).
Summary of the Season
 
Episode 42 (Final Episode).
Summary of the Season

SOUTHEND UNITED SUMMARY
There were two issues facing the club and it’s supporters in Season 1954-55 the playing squad and the Roots Hall project. As the new ground became closer to becoming a reality certain sections started to get very nervous about the logistics of the move. Is it necessary? Why not stay at the Stadium? How much is it going to cost? And most importantly should the club be spending the money on strengthening the team rather than a new ground? Rumours and panic was widespread. The best ground in the country will stay empty if the team loses week after week was the rallying call and the rumours had suggested that the ground might be built without adequate cover for spectators. Thankfully these were minority views and the majority remained fully focused as the ground started to take shape but they weren't helped by poor playing results after Christmas.

Prior to the first round of the cup the Blues had barely been out of the top ten although promotion was never in the question. The league performances were overshadowed by the Cup run which had three stunning performances culminating in the Everton match, all three of which gave great credit to the club, the team and the band. However after the exit at Goodison the performances took a bad dive gaining just one point from nine games which sent the Roots Hall panic-camp wild. Worries of re-election were dispelled with two excellent wins over Easter and indeed only two defeats in the last ten matches gave the Blues a rather flattering tenth place finish.

So with the stands being erected and satisfactory if not inspiring season finishing calm was restored, or almost when the shock news that Sibley was not going to be retained set the panic in motion again.

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Appearances and Goalscorers

Appearances
: Hollis 49; S. Anderson 48; Baron 47; Threadgold 43; Howe 41; Pavitt 37; Sibley 35; Burns and Lawler 33 each; Bainbridge 28; Whyte 22; Duthie 21; Bridge 17; W. Anderson 15; Duffy 12; Young 10; Stirling 9; Barker and Lockhart 8 each; Grant 7; Scannell 6; Smith 5; McDonald 4; Dicker 1, (46 League, 3 Cup, 49 in all).

Goalscorers; Hollis 32; Baron 18; Bainbridge 10; Burns 8; Sibley and Whyte 4 each; Grant and Lockhart 3 each; S. Anderson and Bridge 2 each; W. Anderson, Barker and Duthie 1each, (83 League and 6 Cup, 89 in all).

The Reserves

A complaint by many clubs that there are too many fixtureless Saturdays during the season has resulted in a new scheme for the Combination. The two sections will be scrapped and their will only be one division. The fixtures will be arranged to ensure there will be a Combination game on every Saturday where the League side are away. This may mean that the Blues will play some teams at home but not away and the fixtures will be drawn up with an eye to the travelling difficulties and expenditure.

The purpose of the reserve side was always to provide entertainment and bring on players, success was of little importance but in the 1920s when Southend achieved the coup of gaining admission to the closed shop of the London Combination the 16 games against the big four London clubs had to a certain extent satisfied the need of both. However times had changed most people now had access to a radio, and many to a television and the lure of the reserves with not such attractive Proposition, was not the same. The change in the Combination was desperately trying to provide a weekly Saturday home game but in so doing devalued the competition. This was perhaps the start of the decline of reserve football

THE NATIONAL SCENE

Division One

Chelsea after finishing close to re-election for several seasons finished top with 58 points four points ahead of three clubs Wolverhampton, Portsmouth and Sunderland. Manchester United finished fifth, Arsenal ninth, Charlton fifteenth and Tottenham sixteenth. Sheffield Wednesday finished bottom and were relegated with Leicester who had been promoted the previous season, Cardiff and Blackpool avoiding the drop.

Division Two
Birmingham, Luton and Rotherham all finished the season on 54 points with the latter named club missing out on promotion by goal average, Leeds finished fourth, West Ham eighth and Liverpool eleventh. Derby County and Ipswich Town were both relegated Plymouth and Hull escaping.

Division Three North
.Barnsley were champions from Accrington and Scunthorpe Chester finished bottom and had to apply for re-election along with Grimsby who had an inferior goal average to Crewe Alexandra.

Division Three South
Bristol City topped the southern section with 70 points, 101 goals and having only lost six League games all season, Leyton Orient finished second and Southampton third, Southend finished tenth. Colchester finished bottom and had to apply for re-election with Walsall, Colchester for the second season running, while for Walsall it was the fourth consecutive occasion.

RE-ELECTION

Northern Section:

The bottom two clubs were required to seek re-election to the League., they were joined in the vote by four non-league clubs. The voting went - Grimsby Town 49 votes and Chester 47 votes both Re-elected to the League. Wigan Athletic 2 votes, Burton Albion, Nelson and North Shields no votes, not-elected to the League

Southern Section:
The bottom two clubs were joined in the vote for membership of the Southern section of the Third Division by five non-league clubs. The voting went – Colchester United 44 votes and Walsall 33 votes both re-elected to the League. Peterborough United 16 votes, Worcester City 3 votes, Headington United 2 votes, Bedford Town and Yeovil Town no votes not-elected to the League

F.A.CUP

In round three; Southend went out of the Cup at Goodison Park where Everton finished winners by 3-1, the shocks of the round where Torquay beating Leeds 4-0 and Bishop Auckland defeating Ipswich by 3-0, both ties being replays. The Bury and Stoke tie took five matches before finally being settled in Stokes favour.
Round four saw Everton at home to neighbours Liverpool but it was the reds that progressed 4-0, while Bishop Auckland’s glory ended in a 1-3 home defeat by York, and Torquay were exited with a 0-1 defeat by Huddersfield. Another marathon tie stretching to five matches took place between Doncaster and Aston Villa.
The shock of round five was York defeating Tottenham 3-1
In the Quarter finals York continued their advance with a 1-0 win at Notts. County and were joined in the last four by Manchester City, Newcastle and Sunderland.
The semi finals saw York draw 1-1 with Newcastle at Hillsborough, but then lost the replay at Roker Park 2-0, in the other tie Manchester City defeated Sunderland 1-0 at Villa Park.
The final was won by Newcastle 3-1 with the first goal scored for Newcastle by Jackie Milburn after only 45 seconds which set a new record for Wembley.

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The Home International Championship

England had a strong squad which included Johnny Haynes, Nat Lofthouse and Don Revie and were favourites to win the Championship. They started with an easy win over Ireland in Dublin in October with Haynes and Revie getting the goals. Scotland struggled to beat Wales 1-0 in Cardiff. In November Scotland drew 2-2 with Ireland at Hampden while England defeated Wales 3-2 at Wembley thanks to a Roy Bentley hat-trick. The deciding match was at Wembley in April when England proved far too strong for Scotland beating them 7-2. The final match was at Belfast where Wales beat Ireland 3-2.



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THE END

 
Episode 42 (Final Episode).
Summary of the Season

SOUTHEND UNITED SUMMARY
There were two issues facing the club and it’s supporters in Season 1954-55 the playing squad and the Roots Hall project. As the new ground became closer to becoming a reality certain sections started to get very nervous about the logistics of the move. Is it necessary? Why not stay at the Stadium? How much is it going to cost? And most importantly should the club be spending the money on strengthening the team rather than a new ground? Rumours and panic was widespread. The best ground in the country will stay empty if the team loses week after week was the rallying call and the rumours had suggested that the ground might be built without adequate cover for spectators. Thankfully these were minority views and the majority remained fully focused as the ground started to take shape but they weren't helped by poor playing results after Christmas.

Prior to the first round of the cup the Blues had barely been out of the top ten although promotion was never in the question. The league performances were overshadowed by the Cup run which had three stunning performances culminating in the Everton match, all three of which gave great credit to the club, the team and the band. However after the exit at Goodison the performances took a bad dive gaining just one point from nine games which sent the Roots Hall panic-camp wild. Worries of re-election were dispelled with two excellent wins over Easter and indeed only two defeats in the last ten matches gave the Blues a rather flattering tenth place finish.

So with the stands being erected and satisfactory if not inspiring season finishing calm was restored, or almost when the shock news that Sibley was not going to be retained set the panic in motion again.

View attachment 12143

Appearances and Goalscorers

Appearances
: Hollis 49; S. Anderson 48; Baron 47; Threadgold 43; Howe 41; Pavitt 37; Sibley 35; Burns and Lawler 33 each; Bainbridge 28; Whyte 22; Duthie 21; Bridge 17; W. Anderson 15; Duffy 12; Young 10; Stirling 9; Barker and Lockhart 8 each; Grant 7; Scannell 6; Smith 5; McDonald 4; Dicker 1, (46 League, 3 Cup, 49 in all).

Goalscorers; Hollis 32; Baron 18; Bainbridge 10; Burns 8; Sibley and Whyte 4 each; Grant and Lockhart 3 each; S. Anderson and Bridge 2 each; W. Anderson, Barker and Duthie 1each, (83 League and 6 Cup, 89 in all).

The Reserves

A complaint by many clubs that there are too many fixtureless Saturdays during the season has resulted in a new scheme for the Combination. The two sections will be scrapped and their will only be one division. The fixtures will be arranged to ensure there will be a Combination game on every Saturday where the League side are away. This may mean that the Blues will play some teams at home but not away and the fixtures will be drawn up with an eye to the travelling difficulties and expenditure.

The purpose of the reserve side was always to provide entertainment and bring on players, success was of little importance but in the 1920s when Southend achieved the coup of gaining admission to the closed shop of the London Combination the 16 games against the big four London clubs had to a certain extent satisfied the need of both. However times had changed most people now had access to a radio, and many to a television and the lure of the reserves with not such attractive Proposition, was not the same. The change in the Combination was desperately trying to provide a weekly Saturday home game but in so doing devalued the competition. This was perhaps the start of the decline of reserve football

THE NATIONAL SCENE

Division One

Chelsea after finishing close to re-election for several seasons finished top with 58 points four points ahead of three clubs Wolverhampton, Portsmouth and Sunderland. Manchester United finished fifth, Arsenal ninth, Charlton fifteenth and Tottenham sixteenth. Sheffield Wednesday finished bottom and were relegated with Leicester who had been promoted the previous season, Cardiff and Blackpool avoiding the drop.

Division Two
Birmingham, Luton and Rotherham all finished the season on 54 points with the latter named club missing out on promotion by goal average, Leeds finished fourth, West Ham eighth and Liverpool eleventh. Derby County and Ipswich Town were both relegated Plymouth and Hull escaping.

Division Three North
.Barnsley were champions from Accrington and Scunthorpe Chester finished bottom and had to apply for re-election along with Grimsby who had an inferior goal average to Crewe Alexandra.

Division Three South
Bristol City topped the southern section with 70 points, 101 goals and having only lost six League games all season, Leyton Orient finished second and Southampton third, Southend finished tenth. Colchester finished bottom and had to apply for re-election with Walsall, Colchester for the second season running, while for Walsall it was the fourth consecutive occasion.

RE-ELECTION

Northern Section:

The bottom two clubs were required to seek re-election to the League., they were joined in the vote by four non-league clubs. The voting went - Grimsby Town 49 votes and Chester 47 votes both Re-elected to the League. Wigan Athletic 2 votes, Burton Albion, Nelson and North Shields no votes, not-elected to the League

Southern Section:
The bottom two clubs were joined in the vote for membership of the Southern section of the Third Division by five non-league clubs. The voting went – Colchester United 44 votes and Walsall 33 votes both re-elected to the League. Peterborough United 16 votes, Worcester City 3 votes, Headington United 2 votes, Bedford Town and Yeovil Town no votes not-elected to the League

F.A.CUP

In round three; Southend went out of the Cup at Goodison Park where Everton finished winners by 3-1, the shocks of the round where Torquay beating Leeds 4-0 and Bishop Auckland defeating Ipswich by 3-0, both ties being replays. The Bury and Stoke tie took five matches before finally being settled in Stokes favour.
Round four saw Everton at home to neighbours Liverpool but it was the reds that progressed 4-0, while Bishop Auckland’s glory ended in a 1-3 home defeat by York, and Torquay were exited with a 0-1 defeat by Huddersfield. Another marathon tie stretching to five matches took place between Doncaster and Aston Villa.
The shock of round five was York defeating Tottenham 3-1
In the Quarter finals York continued their advance with a 1-0 win at Notts. County and were joined in the last four by Manchester City, Newcastle and Sunderland.
The semi finals saw York draw 1-1 with Newcastle at Hillsborough, but then lost the replay at Roker Park 2-0, in the other tie Manchester City defeated Sunderland 1-0 at Villa Park.
The final was won by Newcastle 3-1 with the first goal scored for Newcastle by Jackie Milburn after only 45 seconds which set a new record for Wembley.

The Home International Championship

England had a strong squad which included Johnny Haynes, Nat Lofthouse and Don Revie and were favourites to win the Championship. They started with an easy win over Ireland in Dublin in October with Haynes and Revie getting the goals. Scotland struggled to beat Wales 1-0 in Cardiff. In November Scotland drew 2-2 with Ireland at Hampden while England defeated Wales 3-2 at Wembley thanks to a Roy Bentley hat-trick. The deciding match was at Wembley in April when England proved far too strong for Scotland beating them 7-2. The final match was at Belfast where Wales beat Ireland 3-2.



thanks from a lifelong [and so far its been a loing life!] supporter for all the good and hard work you do - its much appreciuated
 
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