DoDTS
The PL League Boss⭐⭐
This Episode was printed in the Southend v Gillingham programme.
Extracts from "The Forgotten Years of the Kursaal" by Peter William Baker
No. 8 THE UNBEATEN RUN JUST KEEPS ON GOING
Southend the only unbeaten club in the Football League having won eight and drawn five of their thirteen games, but every side in the Division wanted to be the first side to brat the Blues
Saturday 7th November 1931
MANSFIELD TOWN 4-4 SOUTHEND UNITED
Division III(South) match No.14
Mansfield were in fifteenth place just two points clear of the re-election spots, in a very congested bottom of the table, eight clubs separated by just three points. At home Mansfield had only lost one game, winning three and drawing the other two. Mansfield had been applying for election to Division 3 (North) for some time and although getting close, couldn�t find that elusive place. They had been playing in the Midland League and despite it being generally agreed that the Southern section was stronger than the Northern section they decided to apply for the Southern section. They canvassed for months, especially the Northern Division 1 and 2 sides hoping that they would prefer another northern side in the league, the gamble paid off they finished behind Norwich but gained six more votes than Newport and gained entry to Division 3 (South) at the expense of the Welshman. This was the only time Southend visited Field Mill in the Kursaal era, no surprise they transferred to the Northern section the following season. The Southend team travelled up to London and stayed overnight at the Brighton Hall Hotel near St Pancras and then travelled on to Mansfield in the morning. Southend started the game at such a pace and with such brilliant football it was little surprise when they raced into a two goal lead, however the United relaxed and were quite shocked when the Blue Shirts of Mansfield scored twice to bring the scores level. The shock worked Southend again asserted their superiority and went into a 4-2 lead. The game appeared to be won , but United failed to add to the score and were then astounded as were the home supporters when for a second time the Stags retrieved a two goal deficit to draw level Southend�s goals had come from Shankly and Crompton scoring two each. Mansfield although not of the same quality had four chances and took them well, and were the first side to score four in a game against the Blues. Southend were fourteen games unbeaten and top of the league. Team: McKenna; French and Robinson; Dixon, Wilson and Donoven; Barnett, Jones, Shankly, Thomson and Crompton.
London Combination: The Junior Blues played Southampton at the Kursaal with a 2.45 kickoff and they were well beaten 0-2. The biggest interest for home spectators was seeing the new inside forward Fred Fitton signed from Oldham but he rarely touched the ball in the first half and in the second when he was livelier he didn�t get adequate support from the other forward
Other Division III(South) Results:
Bournemouth 3-0 Cardiff City
Brighton & Hove 2-3 Fulham.
Bristol Rovers 5-2 Gilliingham
Crystal Palace 4-0 Northampton
Clapton Orient 2-2 Exeter City
Norwich City 7-0 Thames
Q.P.R. 3-1 Luton Towns
Swindon Town 1-3 Brentford
Torquay united 3-3 Coventry City
Watford 3-2 Reading
The LONDON COMBINATION TABLE (Southend United reserves)
...........................P....W...D...L....F....A.....P
4...Arsenal.............16....9...3...4...37...21....21
5...Chelsea.............16....9...3...4...36...22....21
6...West Ham..........15....7...5...3...36...30....19
7...Charlton............15....8...3...4...36...25....19
8...Clapton Orient.....15....8...1...6...37...28....17
9...Q.P.R...............15....6...4...5...29...29....16
10..Luton Town........16....7...2...7...37...40....16
11..Portsmouth........15....6...3...6...32...35....15
12..SOUTHEND.........16....7...1...8...22...33....15
13..Fulham.............15....5...4...6...29...33....14
SOUTHEND UNITED SUPPORTERS CLUB
Tonight (Thursday) there is an Armistice Night Celebration Dance at Garon�s Centre House 8.00 p.m. Two silver Cups will be presented at the end of the season in connection with a Waltz competition. There will be a big complement of Watford Supporters Club members who will be welcomed by the local committee. An effort is being made to run a through excursion to Selhurst by the L. and N. E. Railway full particulars of which will be announced later. Cushions are now on hire from any of the stewards in the grand stand at 1p per match.
From the Southend Standard 12th November 1931
Saturday 14th November 1931
SOUTHEND UNITED 3-0 WATFORD
Division III (South) Match No.15
The draw at Mansfield had allowed Brentford to catch the Blues on points, just goal average separated the sides favour of the United. Watford were fourth in the table with a 100% home record, away they had won two drew two and lost three, the division certainly was congested Watford were just two points below the Blues. The match kicked off at 2.40 and was described as a �great Game� in the Standard when it stated that the Blues were up against the best forward line they had faced all season, but the defence a had come out with flying colours. The first goal came nine minutes after the interval when Crompton drove him with force, but the ball rebounded and Shankly headed home. The second goal two minutes later, was disputed as offside when Crompton ran on and sent in a high cross shot, but the referee would not listen to the protests. Ten minutes after the first goal Crompton scored the third with a wonderful oblique drive from an awkward and narrow angle. Two amusing incidents which had the crowd in fits of laughter were after only two minutes when the referee slipped over on the wet turf and later when a hefty kick from Wilson completely knocked him over. On this form the United looked a good bet for promotion if they can maintain exhibitions such as this. Southend were fifteen games unbeaten and top of the league Team: McKenna; French and Robinson; Dixon, Wilson and Donoven; Barnett, Jones, Shankly, Thomson and Crompton.
London Combination; Although the Junior Blues lost 0-2 to Crystal Palace at Selhurst they were a different team from that which opposed Southampton and they played an excellent standard of football.
Other Results
Brentford 0-1 Norwich City
Cardiff City 0-4 Q.P.R.
Coventry City 4-2 Clapton Orient
Exeter City 1-1 Swindon Town
Fulham 2-1 Mansfield Town
Gillingham 1-1 Torquay United
Luton Town 3-0 Bristol Rovers
Northampton 1-1 Bournemouth
Reading 3-0 Crystal Palace
Thames 1-2 Brighton
Div 3 (South)
14th November 1931..P....W...D...L...F.....A....P
1...SOUTHEND UTD...15....9...6...0...33...14...24
2...Fulham.............15...10...2...3...48...25...22
3...Brentford..........15...10...2...3...30...16...22
4...Watford............15....9...2...4...39...28...20
5...Crystal Palace.....15....7...5...3...31...21...19
6...Norwich City......15....7...4...4...25...16...18
7...Coventry City.....15....7...4...4...37...31...18
8...Exeter City........16....7...4...5...36...31...18
9...Brighton & Hove..16....7...4 ...5...22...21...18
With seven goals scored in the last two games both Shankly and Crompton had scored ten goals each.
Goalscorers: Jimmy Shankly 10; Arthur Crompton 10; Fred Barnett and Arthur Thomson 3 each; Fred Baron and Jack French 2 each; Mickey Jones, Tot Pike and Joe Wilson 1 each. (33 in all).
NEXT SATURDAY�S TEST
No doubt as League leaders Southend will attract another big crowd which as they take a percentage of the ground admission charges (not including the stands) should benefit financially. Cheap excursions are being run by both local companies and they are sure to be a good attendance of United supporters. The Supporters Club in conjunction with the L.& N.E. are running a through train to Norwood Junction from Southend at 12 o�clock calling at all stations to Wickford returning at 4.50 p.m..
From the Southend Standard 19th November 1931
F.A.CUP DRAW
The draw for the first round of the F.A.Cup was made on Monday 16th November and was exhibited in the Southend Standard window. Southend United were drawn away to Torquay United and while they were a lowly fifteenth in the table having only won one of their seven home games, but the Blues didn�t really face the long trek to Devon.
Forthcoming Matches:
Saturday 21st November 1931...CRYSTAL PALACE v SOUTHEND UTD.....Division 3 (South)
Saturday 21st November 1931..Southend United v Charlton Athletic.....London Combination
Saturday 28th November 1931..TORQUAY UNITED v SOUTHEND UTD....F.A.Cup Round 1
Saturday 28th November 1931...Southend United v Watford............London Combination
Extracts from "The Forgotten Years of the Kursaal" by Peter William Baker
No. 8 THE UNBEATEN RUN JUST KEEPS ON GOING
Southend the only unbeaten club in the Football League having won eight and drawn five of their thirteen games, but every side in the Division wanted to be the first side to brat the Blues
Saturday 7th November 1931
MANSFIELD TOWN 4-4 SOUTHEND UNITED
Division III(South) match No.14
Mansfield were in fifteenth place just two points clear of the re-election spots, in a very congested bottom of the table, eight clubs separated by just three points. At home Mansfield had only lost one game, winning three and drawing the other two. Mansfield had been applying for election to Division 3 (North) for some time and although getting close, couldn�t find that elusive place. They had been playing in the Midland League and despite it being generally agreed that the Southern section was stronger than the Northern section they decided to apply for the Southern section. They canvassed for months, especially the Northern Division 1 and 2 sides hoping that they would prefer another northern side in the league, the gamble paid off they finished behind Norwich but gained six more votes than Newport and gained entry to Division 3 (South) at the expense of the Welshman. This was the only time Southend visited Field Mill in the Kursaal era, no surprise they transferred to the Northern section the following season. The Southend team travelled up to London and stayed overnight at the Brighton Hall Hotel near St Pancras and then travelled on to Mansfield in the morning. Southend started the game at such a pace and with such brilliant football it was little surprise when they raced into a two goal lead, however the United relaxed and were quite shocked when the Blue Shirts of Mansfield scored twice to bring the scores level. The shock worked Southend again asserted their superiority and went into a 4-2 lead. The game appeared to be won , but United failed to add to the score and were then astounded as were the home supporters when for a second time the Stags retrieved a two goal deficit to draw level Southend�s goals had come from Shankly and Crompton scoring two each. Mansfield although not of the same quality had four chances and took them well, and were the first side to score four in a game against the Blues. Southend were fourteen games unbeaten and top of the league. Team: McKenna; French and Robinson; Dixon, Wilson and Donoven; Barnett, Jones, Shankly, Thomson and Crompton.
London Combination: The Junior Blues played Southampton at the Kursaal with a 2.45 kickoff and they were well beaten 0-2. The biggest interest for home spectators was seeing the new inside forward Fred Fitton signed from Oldham but he rarely touched the ball in the first half and in the second when he was livelier he didn�t get adequate support from the other forward
Other Division III(South) Results:
Bournemouth 3-0 Cardiff City
Brighton & Hove 2-3 Fulham.
Bristol Rovers 5-2 Gilliingham
Crystal Palace 4-0 Northampton
Clapton Orient 2-2 Exeter City
Norwich City 7-0 Thames
Q.P.R. 3-1 Luton Towns
Swindon Town 1-3 Brentford
Torquay united 3-3 Coventry City
Watford 3-2 Reading
The LONDON COMBINATION TABLE (Southend United reserves)
...........................P....W...D...L....F....A.....P
4...Arsenal.............16....9...3...4...37...21....21
5...Chelsea.............16....9...3...4...36...22....21
6...West Ham..........15....7...5...3...36...30....19
7...Charlton............15....8...3...4...36...25....19
8...Clapton Orient.....15....8...1...6...37...28....17
9...Q.P.R...............15....6...4...5...29...29....16
10..Luton Town........16....7...2...7...37...40....16
11..Portsmouth........15....6...3...6...32...35....15
12..SOUTHEND.........16....7...1...8...22...33....15
13..Fulham.............15....5...4...6...29...33....14
SOUTHEND UNITED SUPPORTERS CLUB
Tonight (Thursday) there is an Armistice Night Celebration Dance at Garon�s Centre House 8.00 p.m. Two silver Cups will be presented at the end of the season in connection with a Waltz competition. There will be a big complement of Watford Supporters Club members who will be welcomed by the local committee. An effort is being made to run a through excursion to Selhurst by the L. and N. E. Railway full particulars of which will be announced later. Cushions are now on hire from any of the stewards in the grand stand at 1p per match.
From the Southend Standard 12th November 1931
Saturday 14th November 1931
SOUTHEND UNITED 3-0 WATFORD
Division III (South) Match No.15
The draw at Mansfield had allowed Brentford to catch the Blues on points, just goal average separated the sides favour of the United. Watford were fourth in the table with a 100% home record, away they had won two drew two and lost three, the division certainly was congested Watford were just two points below the Blues. The match kicked off at 2.40 and was described as a �great Game� in the Standard when it stated that the Blues were up against the best forward line they had faced all season, but the defence a had come out with flying colours. The first goal came nine minutes after the interval when Crompton drove him with force, but the ball rebounded and Shankly headed home. The second goal two minutes later, was disputed as offside when Crompton ran on and sent in a high cross shot, but the referee would not listen to the protests. Ten minutes after the first goal Crompton scored the third with a wonderful oblique drive from an awkward and narrow angle. Two amusing incidents which had the crowd in fits of laughter were after only two minutes when the referee slipped over on the wet turf and later when a hefty kick from Wilson completely knocked him over. On this form the United looked a good bet for promotion if they can maintain exhibitions such as this. Southend were fifteen games unbeaten and top of the league Team: McKenna; French and Robinson; Dixon, Wilson and Donoven; Barnett, Jones, Shankly, Thomson and Crompton.
London Combination; Although the Junior Blues lost 0-2 to Crystal Palace at Selhurst they were a different team from that which opposed Southampton and they played an excellent standard of football.
Other Results
Brentford 0-1 Norwich City
Cardiff City 0-4 Q.P.R.
Coventry City 4-2 Clapton Orient
Exeter City 1-1 Swindon Town
Fulham 2-1 Mansfield Town
Gillingham 1-1 Torquay United
Luton Town 3-0 Bristol Rovers
Northampton 1-1 Bournemouth
Reading 3-0 Crystal Palace
Thames 1-2 Brighton
Div 3 (South)
14th November 1931..P....W...D...L...F.....A....P
1...SOUTHEND UTD...15....9...6...0...33...14...24
2...Fulham.............15...10...2...3...48...25...22
3...Brentford..........15...10...2...3...30...16...22
4...Watford............15....9...2...4...39...28...20
5...Crystal Palace.....15....7...5...3...31...21...19
6...Norwich City......15....7...4...4...25...16...18
7...Coventry City.....15....7...4...4...37...31...18
8...Exeter City........16....7...4...5...36...31...18
9...Brighton & Hove..16....7...4 ...5...22...21...18
With seven goals scored in the last two games both Shankly and Crompton had scored ten goals each.
Goalscorers: Jimmy Shankly 10; Arthur Crompton 10; Fred Barnett and Arthur Thomson 3 each; Fred Baron and Jack French 2 each; Mickey Jones, Tot Pike and Joe Wilson 1 each. (33 in all).
NEXT SATURDAY�S TEST
No doubt as League leaders Southend will attract another big crowd which as they take a percentage of the ground admission charges (not including the stands) should benefit financially. Cheap excursions are being run by both local companies and they are sure to be a good attendance of United supporters. The Supporters Club in conjunction with the L.& N.E. are running a through train to Norwood Junction from Southend at 12 o�clock calling at all stations to Wickford returning at 4.50 p.m..
From the Southend Standard 19th November 1931
F.A.CUP DRAW
The draw for the first round of the F.A.Cup was made on Monday 16th November and was exhibited in the Southend Standard window. Southend United were drawn away to Torquay United and while they were a lowly fifteenth in the table having only won one of their seven home games, but the Blues didn�t really face the long trek to Devon.
Forthcoming Matches:
Saturday 21st November 1931...CRYSTAL PALACE v SOUTHEND UTD.....Division 3 (South)
Saturday 21st November 1931..Southend United v Charlton Athletic.....London Combination
Saturday 28th November 1931..TORQUAY UNITED v SOUTHEND UTD....F.A.Cup Round 1
Saturday 28th November 1931...Southend United v Watford............London Combination
