Memory Lane Final Episode; Review of Southend's Season and the National Scene 1946-47

[DoDTS]

Episode 32; Frank Dudley getting back on form


Southend United 3-0 Norwich City.
No.29 Div 3 (South) Saturday 8th March 1947
Southend recorded their first home win for ten weeks by the comfortable score of 3-0 against a Norwich side of which the Blues were always expected to win, but they by no means ran rings round their Norfolk visitors and Hankey was troubled on more than one occasion. The first goal came after five minutes and was scored by Dudley with the goalkeeper helpless to stop him. Dudley is an impressive centre forward, his long legs give him speed, he possesses good ball control and he has a powerful kick. The second goal came fourteen minutes from the end and was scored by Thompson, two minutes later with the goalkeeper already beaten Harris lobbed towards goal but Dudley was at hand to head home.
Team: Hankey; Jackson and Walton; Harris, Sheard and Montgomery; Bennett, Smirk, Dudley, Thompson and Lane.

Division Three (South) Table:

1…...Cardiff City……..…..…………..28 …. 22….2….4….72….21….46
2..….Queens Park Rangers……..29 …. 17….6….6….49….24….38
3…...Bristol City………………………29 …. 15….7….7….73….40….37
4…...Southend United……..29 …. 14….6….9….54….42….34
5…...Swindon Town…..….…………30 ….13….7….10….62….55….33
6,..,,,Ipswich Town..…...…………..28 ….11….10….7….40….32….32
7…...Reading…………………………29 …. 12….7….10….68….54….31
8…...Exeter City……………………29 …. 12….7….10….49….46….31
9…...Port Vale…....……..……………27 …. 12….6….9….46….38….30
10….Torquay United…………….28 …. 11….7….10….40….46….29
11….Crystal Palace………………..29 … 12….5….12….39….47….29
12….Brighton & Hove Alb.….30 …. 10….9….11….41….53….29
13….Walsall….……………………..27 …. 10….7….10….41….38….27
14….Bristol Rovers….………….32 …. 11….5….16….39….56….27
15….Bournemouth & Bos…..…28 ….10….6….12….44….38….26
16….Watford………..………………29 … 12….2….15….44….57….26
17….Northampton Town….……..27 …. 11….3….13….44….44….25
18….Notts. County….………………28 …. 9….5….14….42….47….23
19….Aldershot………………………..27 …. 8….5….14….38….60….21
20….Mansfield Town……………….30 …. 7….7….16….31….63….21
21….Leyton Orient…...….………..26 …. 7….5….14….34….47….19
22….Norwich City……………………31 …. 5….4….22….41….83….14

Goalscorers .
Cyril Thompson 24;
Harry Lane 12;
Frank Dudley 10;
Alf Smirk 9,
Ken Bennett and Joe Sibley 6 each;
Stan Montgomery 2;
Jack Pritchard 1
and 1 own goal, (54 League and 17 Cup 71 in all).

OLD TIMES RECALLED
The days when Southend United was short of both money and players were recalled by Mr. Donald Taylor who is now living in Toronto in a letter he wrote to the Standard. He said he was delighted to read that the club was now out of debt. And he referred to the part he played in negotiating the transfer of A. (Baldy) Wilson from Tottenham Hotspur. He wrote “of course we had no money to pay for transfer fees and I remember giving them a note for £30 the amount of the transfer fee. I do not know when and if this amount was ever paid to Spurs.

OTHER NEWS

CINEMA OPENING HOURS
On Tuesday it was revealed that the churches had shown concern at the possible effect an extension of hours might have on Sunday School attendances but although a compromise was suggested 5.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. opening, and this was acceptable to the cinemas the committee reverted to its former attitude and recommended that the hours remain unchanged.

LANDSLIDE AT HOCKLEY
Railway gangers worked for over 48 hours to clear the line on the L.N.E.R. near Hockley station on Monday when an engine overturned. Earlier in the day there were reports of a minor landslide at the spot but rapid repairs soon had the trains running on schedule.

NINE YEAR OLD RECEIVES CALL UP PAPERS
A boy celebrated his ninth birthday on Tuesday week. On Thursday morning official ministry of labour call-up papers arrived for him at his home in Ramuz Drive, Westcliff. The boy took it very seriously “They won’t send me down the mines will they?” he asked.

Notts. County v Southend United postponed.
Saturday 15th March 1947
The postponement of Saturdays game between Notts. County and Southend United has resulted in the Blues going down to fifth place in the League, having been overtaken by Swindon Town who have one point more, however Southend have two games in hand. Extension of the football season to June 14th will mean that all outstanding games will be played and that promotion and relegation will operate as usual.

Division Three (South) Table as at 15th March 1947

1..….Cardiff City……..…..…………..29 …. 23….2….4….77….21….48
2..….Queens Park Rangers……..30 …. 17….7….6….53….28….41
3..….Bristol City………………………30 …. 16….7….7….78….42….39
4..….Swindon Town…..….…………31 ….14….7….10….63….55….35
5….Southend United………..29 ….14….6….9….54….42….34
6..….Ipswich Town..…...…………..29 … 11….11….7….40….32….33
7..….Port Vale…....……..……………29 …. 13….7….9….59….40….33
8..….Exeter City……………………30 …. 13….7….10….50….46….33
9..….Reading…………………………30 …. 12….7….11….70….59….31
10….Torquay United……………….30 …. 11….8….11….40….51….30
11….Brighton & Hove Albion..….31 .10….10….11….41….53….30
12….Crystal Palace…………………..30 ….12….5….13….39….48….29
13….Bournemouth & Bos …30 …. 11….6….13….49….39….28
14….Walsall….………………………..28 …. 10….8….10….43….40….28
15….Bristol Rovers….…………….33 …. 11….6….16….42….59….28
16….Northampton Town….….…..28 …. 11….4….13….48….48….26
17….Watford………..…………………30 ….12….2….16….44….58….26
18….Notts. County….………………28 …. 9….5….14….42….47….23
19….Aldershot………………………..29 …. 8….7….14….38….60….23
20….Mansfield Town……………….31 …. 7….7….17….31….68….21
21….Leyton Orient…...….………..27 …. 7….6….14….34….47….20
22….Norwich City……………………32 …. 5….5….22….44….86….15

Southend United 1-2 Arsenal.
Saturday 15th March 1947 Football Combination Cup:
Although the Southend public were denied a local interest in the league they were treated, or at least the 5,000 who attended were as they witnessed a thrilling duel between the United and Arsenal the league leaders. Southend included Hankey, Linton, Sheard and Pritchard. Hankey had pulled off some impressive saves but was beaten after 35 minutes play. There were plenty of spills in the second half and after eight minutes Hamilton scored, after this both sides fought grimly but it was Arsenal that took the lead which proved to be the winner. Summing up while Southend were aggressive and initiated some nice movements, Arsenal were definitely superior in co-ordinated attack

Next Thursday Episode 33: Frank Dudley at it again!

 

[DoDTS]

Episode 33: Frank Dudley at it again!

Southend United 4-0 Northampton.
No.30 Div 3 (South) Saturday22nd March 1947
Southend United put on one of their best displays of the season to defeat Northampton Town by four goals although it has to be said that the opposition was not as strong as might have been expected. With the big freeze just a memory now, 8,000 spectators were in attendance. The play started with Southend in the ascendancy but nevertheless Northampton still looked dangerous on breaks. Early on the United hit the upright but the Cobblers retaliated by hitting the crossbar, shortly afterwards the first goal was a perfect example of opportunism. Harris passed out to Bennett who’s shot was parried by the goalkeeper and Dudley was in the right place at the right time to run in and score. After fifteen minutes of the second half Dudley scored gain this time from Thompson. The third was by Thompson who headed in from a Pritchard cross and the fourth goal was Dudley’s third scored twelve minutes from time.
Team: Hankey; Jackson and Walton; Harris, Sheard and Montgomery; Pritchard, Smirk, Dudley, Thompson and Bennett.

Division Three (South) Table:

1. ….Cardiff City……..…..…………..30 …. 23….3….4….77….21….49
2. ….Queens Park Rangers……..31 …. 18….7….6….57….29….43
3. ….Bristol City………………………31 …. 16….7….8….78….45….39
4. .Southend United…………..30 …. 15….6….9….58….42….36
5. ….Swindon Town…..….………32 …. 14….8….10….66….58….36
6. ….Ipswich Town..…...………..30 …. 12….11….7….42….33….35
7. ….Port Vale…....……..…………30 …. 13….7….10….49….42….33
8. ….Exeter City……………………31 …. 13….7….11….51….48….33
9. ….Reading…………………………31 …. 12….8….11….73….62….32
10. ….Torquay United……………….31 …. 11….9….11….40….51….31
11. ….Bournemouth & Bos…31 …. 12….6….13….50….39….30
12. ….Walsall….………………………..29 …. 11….8….10….46….40….30
13. ….Bristol Rovers….…………….34 …. 12….6….16….46….60….30
14. ….Brighton & Hove Alb..….32 …. 10….10….12….42….55….30
15. ….Crystal Palace………………..31 …. 12….5….14….39….49….29
16. ….Watford………..………………31 …. 13….2….16….46….58….28
17. ….Northampton Town….….…..29 …. 11….4….14….48….52….26
18. ….Notts. County….………………29 …. 9….5….15….43….51….23
19. ….Aldershot………………………..30 …. 8….7….15….39….64….23
20. ….Leyton Orient…...….………..28 …. 8….6….14….36….48….22
21. ….Mansfield Town……………….32 …. 7….8….17….35….72….22
22. ….Norwich City……………………33 …. 5….6….22….48….90….16

Goalscorers
Cyril Thompson 25;
Frank Dudley 13;
Harry Lane 12;
Alf Smirk 9,
Ken Bennett and Joe Sibley 6 each;
Stan Montgomery 2;
Jack Pritchard 1
and 1 own goal, (51 League and 17 Cup 68 in all).

Arsenal 1-1 Southend United.
Football Combination: Saturday 22nd March 1947
Southend United Reserves met Arsenal Reserves for the fourth and final time in the current season and this game proved as entertaining as the previous ones. The first half remaining goalless with both sides struggling to gain mastery, Southend playing the more constructive football but with the Arsenal having the better opportunities. The deadlock was broken mid way through the second half when Arsenal scored after a goalmouth melee. The equaliser came seven minutes from time through French after which Southend swarmed round the Arsenal goalmouth but they failed to register any more goals

OTHER NEWS

CINEMAS
Queues waiting outside Southend cinemas for the one performance on Sundays may soon be petitioned and asked for their support for the growing movement in the Borough which wants earlier cinema opening on Sundays.

FOOT AND MOUTH
An outbreak of foot and mouth disease has been confirmed at the Essex Fattening Station, Nevendon Grove Wickford. The outbreak was reported on Tuesday and as a result 93 fat pigs, one pedigree and Jersey cow and two kids will have to be destroyed. The usual restrictions on movement are in force.

FOOD RATIONS
A resolution urging that extra food rations be granted immediately to all farm workers has been sent by the Essex Branch of the National Farmers Union. During the next two weeks the resolution states there must be an all out effort by the farmers and farm workers to reduce the huge arrears of work on the land.

Next Thursday: Episode 34 Three games in one day

 

[DoDTS]

Episode 34: Three games in one day

On Saturday 29th March Southend United played three matches one Division Three (South) match and two Combination Cup matches one home and one away, so 33 players represented the club on this day.

Aldershot 0-0 Southend United.
No.31 Div 3 (South) Saturday 29th March 1947
The fact that Southend United only gained a point at Aldershot was solely down to the dubious tactics of the home side in packing their defence at every possible occasion, and indeed Aldershot have become somewhat of draw experts, with sides such as Notts. County and Torquay have been unable to break down their defence. (Aldershot had drawn three out of their last four games and had drawn six since Boxing Day four of them being goalless). It was evident from the early stages that the Blues were off form and the forward line which had been so successful against Northampton was the same but Dudley and Thompson seemed to get in each others way. In the second period Dudley actually get the ball in the net but it was ruled offside. As a result of this the United dropped to fifth place in the league. Team: Hankey; Jackson and Walton; Harris Sheard and Montgomery; Pritchard, Smirk, Dudley, Thompson and Bennett.

Division Three (South) Table:

1. ….Cardiff City……..…..…………..30 …. 23….4….4….77….21….50
2. ….Queens Park Rangers……..32 …. 19….7….6….59….29….45
3. ….Bristol City………………………32 …. 16….7….9….79….47….39
4. ….Swindon Town…..….………33 …. 15….8….10….70….59….38
5. .Southend United………..31 …. 15….7….9….58….42….37
6. ….Ipswich Town..…...………..31 …. 12….11….8….42….34….35
7. ….Port Vale…....……..…………31 …. 14….7….10….50….42….35
8. ….Exeter City……………………32 …. 14….7….11….54….49….35
9. ….Bournemouth & Bos………32 …. 13….6….13….51….39….32
10. ….Reading…………………………32 …. 12….8….12….73….63….32
11. ….Bristol Rovers….…………….35 …. 13….6….16….48….61….32
12. ….Torquay United……………….32 …. 11….9….12….40….53….31
13. ….Walsall….………………………..30 …. 11….8….11….47….44….30
14. ….Watford………..………………32 …. 14….2….16….48….59….30
15. ….Crystal Palace………………..32 …. 12….6….14….39….49….30
16. ….Brighton & Hove Alb…..….33 …. 10….10….13….42….57….30
17. ….Northampton Town….….…..30 …. 11….4….15….49….54….26
18. ….Notts. County….……………30 …. 10….5….15….48….52….25
19. ….Aldershot………………………..31 …. 8….8….15….39….64….24
20. ….Leyton Orient…...….………..29 …. 8….6….15….37….51….22
21. ….Mansfield Town……………….33 …. 7….8….18….36….77….22
22. ….Norwich City……………………34 …. 6….6….22….50….90….18

Goalscorers

Cyril Thompson 25;
Frank Dudley 13;
Harry Lane 12;
Alf Smirk 9,
Ken Bennett and Joe Sibley 6 each;
Stan Montgomery 2;
Jack Pritchard 1
and 1 own goal,

Southampton 5-2 Southend United
Saturday 29th March 1947 Football Combination Cup:.
In the game at Southampton, Southend United were leading at half time by two goals to nil with the scorers being Brown and Tippett both scored with hard drives which left the goalkeeper helpless. An early injury to Pickard disorganized the visiting team and Southampton proved to be the better side. After his injury Pickard moved to outside left and Tippett went to centre forward. Davies in goal despite conceding five goals saved many more and overall played a good game.

Southend United 0-5 Brentford
Saturday 29th March 1947 Football Combination Cup:.
Southend decided to play a third game on the same day with the rearranged Combination Cup against Brentford and it was played on an already sodden pitch which made the game slow and the shooting erratic. Although Southend lost by five goals it was by no means an easy victory. In the early stages the United had many chances but failed to find the Brentford net however after about half an hours play it was Brentford that opened the scoring and shortly afterwards added a second. After the interval two more goals were added by the visitors before the Blues were awarded a penalty but Lanes spot kick was punched away by the goalkeeper and the final goal was an own goal from a deflection from H. Walton’s..

OTHER NEWS

STATE OF THE RAILWAYS
The coming of the Railways made Southend, their present state of inefficiency may well break Southend, or at very least cramp the Boroughs development. The recent serious of mishaps on the Southend Liverpool Street L.N.E.R. line drove local residents who depend on it to a state bordering on desperation.

WEATHER
The wettest March since record started in Southend in 1907 has followed on from the coldest February for the same period with a total rainfall of 3.95 inches.

Next Thursday Episode 35; A Hectic Easter

 

[MK Shrimper]

OTHER NEWS

STATE OF THE RAILWAYS
The coming of the Railways made Southend, their present state of inefficiency may well break Southend, or at very least cramp the Boroughs development. The recent serious of mishaps on the Southend Liverpool Street L.N.E.R. line drove local residents who depend on it to a state bordering on desperation.

Nice to see nothing has changed in 72 years

 

[DoDTS]

Episode 35; A Hectic Easter

Easter 1947

Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Southend United.
No.32 Div 3 (South) Good Friday 4th April 1947
It was game which was largely of a defensive nature and in which there were few good shots at either goal. In the first half Queens Park Rangers were definitely on top and they were assisted by the strong wind, while in the second half when United had the advatage of the elements they were definitely in the ascendency. The only goal came after thirty seven minutes with a headed goal, and the best chance of the came also fell to Rangers in this half but the ball went over the crossbar. Early in the second half Smirk received the ball from Thompson and narrowly missed, after this Smirk received special attention from the Rangers defence. Sheard received a leg injury and had to go off the field for a short while and a little bit of “ill feeling” crept in.
Team: Hankey; Jackson and Walton; Harris Sheard and Montgomery; Pritchard, Smirk, Dudley,Thompson and Lane.

Southend United 2-2 Tottenham
Football Combination:. Good Friday 4th April 1947
It was an improved pitch at the Stadium but both Southend and Tottenham took a long time to settle down. French who was playing at inside right scored the first goal, when Bailey centred the ball into a melee of players and French brought the ball out of the maze of players to net. Spurs equalised eighteen minutes later, and then took the lead after dribbling all through the Southend defence and shooting into an almost empty net. In the second half the game improved and became much faster and Brown scored the equalizing goal from the penalty spot.

Southend United 0-0 Brighton.
No.33 Div 3 (South) Saturday 5th April 1947
Southend United showed poor form against Brighton and produced an unimaginative game in front of 12,500 spectators and it would not have been a surprise if Brighton had grabbed the points. Two team changes were forced upon the Blues Sheard and Dudley declared unfit after the Good Friday game, their places being taken by Linton and Bennett. Brighton playing against the wind in the first half played with initiative but their finishing was poor, in the last twenty minutes of the half Southend were on top and did get several shots on goals but they were saved by the goalkeeper. The second half was much the same a dreary display distinguished only by a couple of good efforts from Brighton and there was also several missed opportunities by Southend. A rising shot from Brighton which was just tipped over the bar by Hankey was probably the best shot and best save of the game.
Team: Hankey; Jackson and Walton; Harris, Montgomery and Linton; Pritchard, Smirk, Thompson, Bennett and Lane.

Southend United 1-3 Queens Park Rangers
No.34 Div 3 (South) Easter Monday 7th April 1947 .
Queens Park Rangers who are challenging Cardiff’s leadership of the division were fortunate to win at the Stadium, as the Blues for most of the ninety minutes battled for goals around the Rangers goalmouth and succeeded in the twenty third minute of the second half to equalise. Rangers proved in both games of the holiday period that they were not a better side but they possessed the ability to score goals. Southends form over Easter had been poor only obtaining one point from the thee games but this fixture attracted a crowd of 18,000. Rangers scored the only goal of the first half with a fierce ground shot and the visitors spent most of the remainder of the match trying to hold on to that one goal lead. Southend’s equaliser was not a good goal the ball being kicked into the net in a scrimmage with Thompson, Harris, Dudley and Lane all involved and it appeared as if the ball went in off Lane. Rangers retook the lead fifteen minutes from time and scored the third a minute later.
Team: Hankey; Jackson and Walton; Harris, Montgomery and Linton; Pritchard, Smirk, Dudley, Thompson and Lane.

League Table after Easter Mondays match:

1. ….Cardiff City……..…..…………..34 …. 23….6….5….79….24….52
2. ….Queens Park Rangers……..35 …. 22….7….6….65….30….51
3. ….Bristol City………………………35 …. 17….8….10….84….52….42
4. ….Ipswich Town..…...………..34 …. 14….11….9….50….41….39
5. ….Swindon Town…..….………36 …. 15….9….12….74….68….39
6. .Southend United……..34 …. 15….8….11….59….46….38
7. ….Reading………………………35 …. 14….9….12….77….64….37
8. ….Exeter City…………………35 …. 14….9….12….56….53….37
9. ….Bournemouth & Bos…35 …. 15….6….14….59….45….36
10. ….Port Vale…....……..…………34 …. 14….7….13….54….53….35
11. ….Bristol Rovers….…………….38 …. 14….7….17….54….65….34
12. ….Walsall….……………………..33 …. 12….10….13….54….48….34
13. ….Torquay United…………….35 …. 12….10….13….46….58….34
14. ….Watford………..………………35 …. 14….4….17….52….65….32
15. ….Crystal Palace………………..35 …. 12….8….15….43….54….32
16. ….Brighton & Hove Alb..….36 …. 10….12….14….45….65….32
17. ….Northampton Town….….…..33 …. 12….5….16….59….60….29
18. ….Notts. County….……………33 …. 11….7….15….52….55….29
19. ….Leyton Orient…...….………..32 …. 10….6….16….46….60….26
20. ….Mansfield Town……………….36 …. 9….8….19….44….84….26
21. ….Aldershot………………………..34 …. 8….9….17….40….68….26
22. ….Norwich City……………………37 …. 9….6….22….57….91….24

Southend had clearly had a bad Easter but they were not the only ones, with three games in four days the formbook went out of the window. Cardiff who looked unreachable for most of the season now found QPR just one point behind. At the bottom Norwich had looked out of touch but were now just two points behind three other clubs.

Goalscorers
Cyril Thompson 25;
Frank Dudley and harry Lane 13;
Alf Smirk 9,
Ken Bennett and Joe Sibley 6 each;
Stan Montgomery 2;
Jack Pritchard 1
and 1 own goal

Queens Park Rangers 3-1 Southend United
Football Combination Cup: Easter Monday 7th April 1947 .
Southend United lost to Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road but in the first fifteen minutes Lawrence was injured and went to outside right Jones scored for Southend and at half time the score was 1-1. In the second half the United were disorganised by injuries, Hamilton was knocked on the head twenty minutes from time, he had to leave the field for a time and then finished the game at outside left.

BENEFIT FOR HARRIS AND JACKSON
At the matches at Southend on Saturday and Monday collections were taken for Jackson and Harris’s benefit. On Friday May 2nd. The Supporters Club are holding a benefit ball at the Kursaal. Dancing from 8 till 1 will be to Howard Baker. Tickets 5s (25p).

Next Thursday Episode 36:
Dudley and Thompson get rid of the Easter Blues

 

[DoDTS]

Episode 36: Dudley and Thompson get rid of the Easter Blues

Exeter City 1-5 Southend United.
No.35 Div 3 (South) Sat. 12th April 1947
Southend United had not won at Exeter since 1928 but regaining their recently lost form and came out as strong winners. Only for one fleeting moment did the result seem in doubt, that was in the second half when Exeter equalised Thompsons first half goal and they threatened to take the lead but these doubts were soon disbanded when two quick goals settled the result. The goals were scored by Dudley (three) and Thompson (two) the last named having scored 27 this season, while Dudley too is piling up a sizeable tally having reached 16. The hard pitch and lively ball suited Southend’s style conversely it did not suit Exeter who had several aging players in their ranks. Though brilliant Thompson was not the solidary star, the right wing pair of Pritchard and Smirk had a grand match but it was left to the young rakish Dudley to score three of the goals.
Team: Hankey; Jackson and Walton; Harris, Montgomery and Linton; Pritchard, Smirk, Dudley,Thompson and Lane.

Division Three (South) Table

1. ….Cardiff City……..…..…………..35 …. 24….6….5….82….24….54
2. ….Queens Park Rangers……..36 …. 22….8….6….67….32….52
3. ….Bristol City………………………36 …. 18….8….10….87….52….44
4. ….Swindon Town…..….………37 …. 16….9….12….76….69….41
5. .Southend United……..35 …. 16….8….11….64….47….40
6. ….Reading…………………………36 …. 15….9….12….79….64….39
7. ….Ipswich Town..…...………..35 …. 14….11….10….51….43….39
8. ….Exeter City……………………36 …. 14….9….13….57….58….37
9. ….Bristol Rovers….……..….39 …. 15….7….17….56….66….36
10. ….Bournemouth & Bosc…36 …. 15….6….15….59….46….36
11. ….Walsall….……………………..35 …. 13….10….12….62….51….36
12. ….Port Vale…....……..…………35 …. 14….8….13….56….55….35
13. ….Torquay United…………….36 …. 12….11….13….46….58….35
14. ….Watford………..………………36 …. 15….4….17….53….65….34
15. ….Crystal Palace………………..36 …. 12….9….15….43….54….33
16. ….Brighton & Hove Alb..….37 …. 10….12….15….46….67….32
17. ….Notts. County….……………34 …. 11….8….15….52….55….30
18. ….Northampton Town….….…..35 …. 12….6….17….59….68….30
19. ….Mansfield Town……………….37 …. 9….9….19….45….85….27
20. ….Leyton Orient…...….………..33 …. 10….6….17….46….63….27
21. ….Aldershot………………………..35 …. 8….10….17….41….69….26
22. ….Norwich City……………………38 …. 9….6….23….57….93….24

Goalscorers
Cyril Thompson 27;
Frank Dudley 16;
Harry Lane 12;
Alf Smirk 9,
Ken Bennett and Joe Sibley 6 each;
Stan Montgomery 2;
Jack Pritchard 1
and 1 own goal

Southend United 4-2 Birmingham City.
Saturday 12th April 1947 Football Combination Cup:
Although the reserves won by 4-2 it was no way an easy victory, the first goal came when Jones the centre forward gave the ball to Trevor Bailey who placed the ball in the net after twenty minutes, two minutes later City equalised. Shortly afterwards Bennett broke away and ran half the length of the field before putting the ball in the net and then scored a third to give the United a 3-1 half time lead. The second half was at a very fast pace and after twenty minutes Birmingham reduced the lead. The final goal came from a very clever back heel from Jones which allowed Bailey to score with a tricky shot.

OTHER NEWS

MORE PLEASURE STEAMERS
The General Steam Navigation Co. have placed orders in Scotland for the building of two twin-screw diesel ships to operate on the Southend service. It is hoped to have the first ship in operationin1948and the other vessel will follow in 1949. The Royal Eagle and the Golden Eagle will be running this season the latter for the first time since the war, in addition the Royal Daffodil may be available later in the season

20,000 WATCH STEEPLECHASES
Favoured by ideal weather the Essex Union Hunt Point to Point Steeplechases drew a crowd of 15,000 to 20,000 at Malgraves near Hornden-on-the-Hill. Some good racing was witnessed and all arrangements worked extremely smoothly.

DOCTORS PRESCRIBE LIVER BUT PARENTS CAN’T GET IT OR AFFORD IT
The Three year old son of an Eastwood couple is losing his eyesight and London specialists have prescribed a daily diet of liver. Liver is an unrationed commodity but the local butcher receives 50lb a fortnight for 1,500 customers and the parents are having to buy tins of proteinzed liver. The father who works for an engineering works earns about £4.00 a week

Next Thursday: Episode 37 Port Vale at the Stadium

 

[DoDTS]

Episode 37 Port Vale at the Stadium

Southend United 1-1 Port Vale.
No.36 Div 3 (South) Saturday19th April 1947
After the United’s polished display at Exeter the crowd that assembled at the Stadium expected more than was actually the case. In fairness their visitors from the Midlands were good individually and fast on the ball. In the first ten minutes the United ran smoothly, it was a confident and efficient machine so different from the last time they had appeared before their own supporters. Pritchard centred after six minutes, Thompson attempted a header and the ball was deflected out to Lane who pushed the ball onto Smirk who scored. At this stage the Blues looked capable of scoring many more, however their confidence was halted when a handball in the area, resulted in a penalty for Port Vale which levelled the scores. Territorially Southend were on top in the first half and did create chances but they were missed. In the second half Vale came into the game more and set to work in a business like fashion. Fifteen minutes they had a goal disallowed for offside, but as the game reached its conclusion the Port Vale goal was raided time and time again but the efforts proved unsuccessful.
Team: Hankey; Jackson and Bell; Harris, Montgomery and Linton; Pritchard, Smirk, Dudley, Thompson and Lane.

Norwich City 2-5 Southend United.
Football Combination: Saturday 19th April 1947
Southend United reserves notched up another resounding success when they defeated Norwich by 5-2. The home side had the disadvantage of being a man short after the first ten minutes and that player being the goalkeeper his place being taken by a full back. Southend had a single goal first half lead and although Norwich score twice in the second half their play was scrappy and they were eventually overwhelmed. The United goalscorers were Tippett (two), Brown, Jones and T. Bailey.

Bristol City 2-0 Southend United.
No.37 Div 3 (South) Saturday 26th April 1947
Southend United put up quite a good fight against Bristol City at Ashton Gate but had to retire defeated at the end of the game. Southend started in most promising style and with an ounce of luck would have taken the lead in the opening quarter of an hour, indeed they had as much of the play in the first half as City but they lacked thrust in front of goal. Bristol’s attacks were the more dangerous however their final result was not enough to beat Hankey. In the second half City seemed over eager and wasted several good chances and it was not until fifteen minutes from time that the first goal came. After this the Blues found themselves further pegged back and the second goal was scored in the very last minute.
Team: Hankey; Jackson and Walton; Harris, Montgomery and Linton; Pritchard, Smirk, Dudley, Thompson and Lane


Division Three (South) Table:

1. ….Cardiff City……..…..…………..37 …. 25….6….6….85….28….56
2. ….Queens Park Rangers……..38 …. 23….8….7….70….35….54
3. ….Bristol City………………………38 …. 19….8….11….89….53….46
4. ….Swindon Town…..….………39 …. 17….10….12….79….71….44
5. .Southend United………..37 …. 16….9….12….65….50….41
6. ….Ipswich Town..…...………..37 …. 15….11….11….55….47….41
7. ….Reading………………………38 …. 15….10….13….80….69….40
8. ….Port Vale…....……..…………37 …. 15….9….13….59….57….39
9. ….Exeter City……………………38 …. 15….9….14….58….59….39
10. ….Bristol Rovers….…………….41 …. 16….7….18….58….68….39
11. ….Bournemouth & Bos………38 …. 16….6….16….62….48….38
12. ….Walsall….……………………..37 …. 13….11….13….65….56….37
13. ….Crystal Palace………………..38 …. 13….10….15….47….56….36
14. ….Watford………..………………38 …. 16….4….18….57….69….36
15. ….Torquay United…………….37 …. 12….11….14….46….59….35
16. ….Brighton & Hove Albion...38 …. 11….12….15….49….67….34
17. ….Notts. County….……………36 …. 12….9….15….56….57….33
18. ….Northampton Town….….…..37 …. 13….7….17….65….70….33
19. ….Aldershot………………………..37 …. 9….10….18….42….71….28
20. ….Leyton Orient…...….………..35 …. 10….7….18….46….65….27
21. ….Norwich City……………………40 …. 10….7….23….63….97….27
22. ….Mansfield Town……………….39 …. 9….9….21….45….89….27

Goalscorers
Cyril Thompson 27;
Frank Dudley 16;
Harry Lane 12;
Alf Smirk 10,
Ken Bennett and Joe Sibley 6 each;
Stan Montgomery 2;
Jack Pritchard 1
and 1 own goal,

Southend United 3-0 Reading.
Football Combination Cup: Saturday 26th April 1947
Southend’s new centre forward had little chance to impress, as he was injured in the first fifteen minutes, in the first half Southend scored the only goal but Reading were the more dangerous team. The goal was scored by Trevor Bailey who headed the ball home after the ball rebounded from the crossbar from Tippett’s shot. The second half saw an improved performance for Southend and brought them two goals from Bennett and Brown. The Reading goalkeeper was making his first professional appearance.

Ipswich Town 4-0 Southend United.
Football Combination: Saturday 26th April1947
As Southend United were fielding three teams in the same day it was inevitable that they would have to field a weakened side including some amateurs. Goalkeeper Simms from R.A.F. Hornchurch played a good game as did Woodward and Shallcross. The result was a fair one with all four goals coming in the second half when the United were weakened through injuries. The attendance was 3,624.

WILF COPPING
Mr. Wilfred Copping, Southend United trainer has been chosen by the F.A. to accompany the touring team to Switzerland leaving this country in May.

Next Thursday Episode 38:
Two Away games without much return

 

[Firestorm]

In 1998, the Football League, as part of its centenary season celebrations, included Copping on its list of 100 League Legends.[2]

 

[The Big Dady]

Wilf Copping was a Left half and Centre half who played for Leeds and Arsenal as well as 20 times for England. After retiring from playing he become the trainer for a number of clubs including Southend United between 1946 and 1954.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilf_Copping

England Carrier
https://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamPlyrsBios/PlayersC/BioCoppingW.html

 

[DoDTS]

Episode 38: Two Away games without much return

Ipswich Town 1-0 Southend United.
No.38 Div 3 (South) Saturday 3rd May 1947
In the last three minutes of the match Ipswich grabbed a winning goal from a corner kick, to displace the United in the league table. The home side deserved the win for their second half performance but the goal came so late when everyone was content with a draw. In the first half Ipswich were slow on the ball and Southend were dangerous in attack but just could not put the ball in the net. One or two of the United players resorted to rough tactics at which the crowd became very vociferous against Montgomery but the referee only gave a free kick against him once. In the second half the home side were on the attack for most of the half although Southend were still dangerous on breakaways. Despite the Ipswich pressure it seemed it would be impossible that they could score, but a well placed corner kick took a deflection off a Southend defender on its way into the net. Team: Hankey; Jackson and Walton; Harris, Montgomery and Linton; Bennett, Smirk, Dudley, Brown and Lane.

Southend United 1-0 Southampton.
Football Combination Cup: Saturday 3rd May 1947
The Combination Cup game at the Stadium was exciting but not good, time after time either Southend or Southampton would take the ball down the field with a brilliant dribble or passing movement only for the move to be finished by erratic shooting. The only goal of the match was scored by French when he took the ball out of a melee of players to shoot past the goalkeeper seven minutes from time.

Brentford 0-1 Southend United
Wednesday 7th May 1947 Football Combination Cup:
This fixture was a re-arranged Combination Cup match and was hotly contested, Southend played well with Sid Bell and French outstanding. N. Whipps the Tilbury centre forward made his first appearance for the reserves and it was he who scored the only goal and he created a good impression by his quality of play.

TERMS FOR PLAYERS
All the players who have been offered terms for next season by Southend United have accepted with the exception of the goalkeeper Hankey. He has left Southend to go to his home in Portsmouth. Hankey joined Southend before the war. He was an army International and was wearing the Blues colours in 1938 when he was a gunner. In 1939 Hankey was placed on the open-to-transfer list but played that season. Mr. Harry Warren the manager has been scouting for new players in the last few weeks. The signing of Whalley Arsenal reserve centre forward was the result of his efforts and it is understood that it was a cash transaction.

Swindon Town 2-1 Southend United.
No.39 Div 3 (South) Saturday 10th May 1947
In the absence of Hankey, Davies played in his place and gave a confident performance bringing off many smart saves. The match was one of the most enjoyable to watch in recent weeks on a pitch which was wet but not heavy and play was rapid with clever movements by both teams. Southend started well swinging the ball about and were soon pressing the home goal, Pritchard almost scoring after three minutes. It was Swindon however who took the lead after twelve minutes with a shot which gave Davies no chance. After twenty minutes another goal was added for the home side but ten minutes later Smirk retrieved a goal. The game after this was keen and there were plenty of thrills but no more goals. It was a keenly contested game and dispelled the feeling that “because the football season should be over there is little enthusiasm left” The crowd which numbered 13,498 was surely proof that there is still interest.
Team: Davies; Bell and Walton; Harris, Montgomery and Jackson; Smirk, Thompson, Dudley, Brown and Pritchard.

Division Three (South) Table

1. ….Cardiff City……..…..…………..39 …. 37….6….6….87….28….60
2. ….Queens Park Rangers……..40 …. 23….10….7….72….37….56
3. ….Bristol City……………………40 …. 19….10….11….91….53….48
4. ….Swindon Town…..….………41 …. 18….11….12….82….73….47
5. ….Ipswich Town..…...………..39 …. 16….12….11….57….48….44
6. ….Bournemouth & Bosc…40 …. 17….7….16….67….50….41
7. .Southend United………..39 …. 16….9….14….66….53….41
8. ….Reading………………………39 …. 15….10….14….80….72….40
9. ….Bristol Rovers….…………….42 …. 16….8….18….59….69….40
10. ….Walsall….……………………..38 …. 14….11….13….67….56….39
11. ….Port Vale…....……..…………39 …. 15….9….15….59….59….39
12. ….Exeter City……………………40 …. 15….9….16….59….65….39
13. ….Torquay United…………….39 …. 14….11….14….50….59….39
14. ….Watford………..………………40 …. 16….5….19….58….71….37
15. ….Notts. County….……………38 …. 13….10….15….59….58….36
16. ….Northampton Town….….…..39 …. 14….8….17….67….71….36
17. ….Crystal Palace………………..39 …. 13….10….16….47….57….36
18. ….Brighton & Hove Alb..….40 …. 12….12….16….50….69….36
19. ….Aldershot……………………..39 …. 10….10….19….44….73….30
20. ….Leyton Orient…...….………..37 …. 10….8….19….47….67….28
21. ….Norwich City……………………41 …. 10….8….23….64….97….28
22. ….Mansfield Town……………….40 …. 9….10….21….46….90….28

Goalscorers
Cyril Thompson 27;
Frank Dudley 16;
Harry Lane 12;
Alf Smirk 11,
Ken Bennett and Joe Sibley 6 each;
Stan Montgomery 2;
Jack Pritchard 1
and 1 own goal

Southend United 2-2 Crystal Palace
Football Combination:. Saturday10th May 1947
Playing their last match in the Football Combination Southend United Reserves held Crystal Palace Reserves to a 2-2 draw. Southend were the slightly more organised team in the first half and held their one goal lead secured after 20 minutes of play well into the second half when they became ragged in both defence and attack

PLAYERS BENEFIT
The dance at the Kursaal on Friday for the benefit of Harris and Jackson was a success. The dance was arranged by the Supporters Club and Mr. George Anderson was M.C. Dancing was to Howard Baker’s band and a football autographed by members of Southend United was won by a visitor from Northampton. There was also a cricket bat autographed by the Australian cricket team of 1934.



Note : The Howard Baker Band (above) were resident at the Kursaal from 1946 until Howard's retirement in 1967 (Picture thanks to Mike Thomas and the British Dance band encyclopedia website)

Next Thursday Episode 39: Big Occasion at Burnham on Crouch and Last home match of the Season

 

[The Big Dady]

Noticed at the back of that photo the "No Jitter Bugging Allowed" Sign behind the band at the Kursaal.,



Just had to check out what it was and found

 

[DoDTS]

Episode 39: Big Occasion at Burnham on Crouch and Last home match of the Season


Burnham Select XI 2-5 Southend United.
Wednesday 14th May 1947 Reserve Friendly:

Flags of “Welcome Southend United” in Burnham High Street greeted a United Reserve eleven when they played an invitation eleven drawn from Burnham, Bradwell, Tillingham and Althorne. The match was sponsored by Mr. Wilfred Newman and was in aid of the Farmers Flood Relief Fund. Four goals were scored in the first half, Gibson and Bennett scoring for the United and two were scored by the home side. In the second half the polish of the professionals began to tell and although play was in no way confined to one end of the field the invitation eleven were mainly on the defensive and the United recorded three more goals.

Southend United 2-2 Bournemouth.
No.40 Div 3 (South) Sat.17th May 1947

Southend United seemed to have victory within their grasp, a victory which would have taken them up to sixth place in the table, but the defence seemed unprepared for the attacks which gave Bournemouth goals the first of which was a surprise shot. Southend had taken the lead in the twenty third minute through Lane although his shot appeared to be deflected, for the remainder of the first half the United had more of the play and came close to scoring again on several occasions. Twelve minutes into the second period Smirk scored with a terrific drive from close in. Shortly afterwards a Bournemouth player was put out on the wing as a passenger yet it was he that scored Bournemouth’s first goal. After 22 minutes a second and equalising goal was scored by the Cherries from 30 yards. It was Southend’s last home game of the season and disappointing not to finish with a win but there was plenty to suggest that next season might be more successful.
Team: Davies; Bell and Walton; Harris, Montgomery and Jackson; Pritchard, Smirk, Dudley, Brown and Lane.

Division Three (South) Table:

1. ….Cardiff City……..…..…………..40 …. 28….6….6….89….28….62
2. ….Queens Park Rangers……..41 …. 23….11….7….72….37….57
3. ….Bristol City……………………41 …. 20….10….11….94….56….50
4. ….Swindon Town…..…………42 …. 19….11….12….84….73….49
5. ….Ipswich Town..…...………..40 …. 16….12….12….58….50….44
6. ….Bournemouth & Bos……41 …. 17….8….16….69….52….42
7. .Southend United……..40 …. 16….10….14….68….55….42
8. ….Reading………………………40 …. 16….10….14….82….72….42
9. ….Walsall….……………………..39 …. 15….11….13….69….56….41
10. ….Bristol Rovers….…………….42 …. 16….8….18….59….69….40
11. ….Torquay United…………….40 …. 14….12….14….50….59….40
12. ….Port Vale…....……..…………39 …. 15….9….15….59….59….39
13. ….Exeter City…………………41 …. 15….9….17….59….67….39
14. ….Watford………..………………41 …. 17….5….19….60….72….39
15. ….Notts. County….……………39 …. 14….10….15….61….59….38
16. ….Northampton Town….….…..40 …. 15….8….17….68….71….38
17. ….Crystal Palace………………..40 …. 13….10….17….47….58….36
18. ….Brighton & Hove Alb..….41 …. 12….12….17….50….71….36
19. ….Aldershot……………………..40 …. 10….10….20….45….75….30
20. ….Leyton Orient…...….………..38 …. 10….8….20….47….69….28
21. ….Norwich City…………………42 …. 10….8….24….64….100….28
22. ….Mansfield Town…………….41 …. 9….10….22….47….93….28

Goalscorers.

Cyril Thompson 27;
Frank Dudley 16;
Harry Lane 13;
Alf Smirk 12,
Ken Bennett and Joe Sibley 6 each;
Stan Montgomery 2;
Jack Pritchard 1
and 1 own goal

NEWPLAYERS
Efforts are still being made to sign new players but so far without success. An offer of £3,500 was made for an International goalkeeper. After the match on Saturday Jackson the captain of Southend United and Harris were presented with cheques by the chairman of the directors, Mr. Nevil Newitt. The cheques from the football club were for £250 each and from the Supporters Club for £150 each. The efforts of the Supporters Club for the players benefit realized a total of £404 9s 6d. Previously the players had been given £52 4s 9d each from the collections taken at the Stadium during the Easter matches.

HANKEY
Hankey is still on Southend United’s retained list and the terms offered to him are open. After the game at Ipswich he went to his home at Portsmouth and did not report to the Stadium for training during the week.

INVITATION FROM FRANCE
Southend United have received an invitation from a club in Southern France during the close season and if other matches can be arranged the team will possibly visit France as soon as the season is over.

OTHER NEWS


SOUTHEND QUARTER SESSIONS
At the Southend quarter sessions on Tuesday the prosecuting council described a house in Warrior Square as choc-a-bloc with stolen property and another house in Stepney was said to be a “mine of stolen goods”. Two men and a woman were charged on twenty two counts of breaking and entering offices and houses in the district and receiving property to the value of £600. – Sentences were passed at Southend quarter sessions on Wednesday on three men and a woman concerned in charges of breaking and entering local houses and receiving stolen goods. A second woman was bound over.

MILK SUPPLIES
Housewives in the Southend area who have their milk supplies from the London Co-operative Society again find themselves among the 600,000 consumers who this week have had to queue to collect their Milk because rounds men have gone out on strike against the advice of their Union. The men object to a new scheme for payment of commission on sales which they say would involve them in additional reductions of up to thirty shillings weekly

Next Thursday Episode 40:
The Last two away Matches of the season

 

[DoDTS]

Episode 40: The Last two away Matches of the season

Notts. County 0-2 Southend United
No.41 Div 3 (South) Saturday 24th May 1947
Because of Whitsun there were no reservations, the train was full and Southend United had to travel from London to Nottingham in the guards van. The discomfort did not induce leg-weariness in the players as three hours after their arrival they went onto the field and defeated county 2-0 in a gruelling match. It was Notts County’s first home defeat since January 23rd and their first defeat home or away since March 22nd, and if the Blues get a result at Port Vale they could finish in sixth place. Play was fast and there was plenty of punch in the United’s forward line and with a little more fortune the score could have been more but as it was both goals were scored five minutes from time. The home team had goal scoring opportunities but failed largely because their men were out of position. Kane missed a fine opportunity when he kicked over the bar from a free kick but he made amends five minutes from time when he passed to Dudley, who almost lost it but managed to push the ball out to Pritchard who’s shot was parried by the goalkeeper and Lane was hand to put the ball put into the net. A minute later Lane scored again with a fast ground shot into the corner of the net.
Team: Davies; Jackson and Bell; Harris, Sheard and Montgomery; Pritchard, Smirk, Dudley, Thompson and Lane.



Port Vale 5-1 Southend United.
No.42 Div 3 (South) Sat. 31st May 1947
Before the match, which was the last of the season for both clubs supporters were treated to a display of dancing and gymnastics by a troupe of young girls. Port Vale followed this up with a display of good football and defeated the United to the tune of 1-5. There was no doubt who were the better team, Vale had strong forwards and played the risky, but in this case effective offside game, to which the Blues had no answer. With the Southend forwards being caught repeatedly offside Vale opened the scoring early, a second was added after twenty minutes and a third a minute before the interval. In the second half the Blues had chances but without success, and twenty two minutes into the second period a fourth was added. Five minutes later Thompson did score for the United heading in from a corner but a minute later a fifth was added.
Team: Hankey; Jackson and Bell; Harris, Sheard and Montgomery; Pritchard, Smirk, Dudley, Thompson and Lane

Final League Table Third Division (South)1946-47

1. ….Cardiff City……..…..…………..42 …. 30….6….6….93….30….66 Promoted to Division 2
2. ….Queens Park Rangers……..42 …. 23….11….8….74….40….57
3. ….Bristol City……………………42 …. 20….11….11….94….56….51
4. ….Swindon Town…..….………42 …. 19….11….12….84….73….49
5. ….Walsall….……………………..42 …. 17….12….13….74….59….46
6. ….Ipswich Town..…...………..42 …. 16….14….12….61….53….46
7. ….Bournemouth & Bos. …42 …. 18….8….16….72….54….44
8. .Southend United……..42 …. 17….10….15….71….60….44
9. ….Reading………………………42 …. 16….11….15….83….74….43
10. ….Port Vale…....……..…………42 …. 17….9….16….68….63….43
11. ….Torquay United…………….42 …. 17….12….15….52….61….40
12. ….Notts. County….……………42 …. 15….10….17….63….63….40
13. ….Northampton Town….…..42 …. 15….10….17….72….75….40
14. ….Bristol Rovers….…………….42 …. 16….8….18….59….69….40
15. ….Exeter City……………………42 …. 15….9….18….60….69….39
16. ….Watford………..………………42 …. 17….5….20….61….76….39
17. ….Brighton & Hove Alb….….42 …. 13….12….17….54….72….38
18. ….Crystal Palace………………..42 …. 13….11….18….49….62….37
19. ….Leyton Orient…...….………..42 …. 12….8….22….54….75….32
20. ….Aldershot………………………..42 …. 12….8….22….48….75….32
21. ….Norwich City…………………42 …. 10….8….24….64….100….28 apply for re-election
22. ….Mansfield Town……………….42 …. 9….10….23….48….96….28 apply for re-election

Appearances and Goalscorers1946-47

Appearances:
Smirk 45; Harris 44; Jackson 43; Hankey and Lane 41 each; Montgomery and Thompson 40 each; F. Walton 36; Linton 34; Dudley 25; Bennett and Sibley 24 each; Pritchard 14; Sheard 13; Bell 10; Hamilton 4; Brown, Davies, Humphries and Tippett 3 each; Gibson 2; French, Gardiner and H Walton 1 each, (42 league and 3 Cup, 45 in all).

Goalscorers;
Thompson 28; Dudley and Lane 16 each; Smirk 11; Bennett and Sibley 6 each; Montgomery and Pritchard 2 each; and I own goal (71 League and 17 Cup, Total 88 in all).

OTHER NEWS

Customs and Excise
By 1949 and possibly earlier 900 Civil Servants of the Customs and Excise Department will have been transferred to Southend Officials of the Ministry of Works are already in the town planning accommodation for them.

Next Thursday: Final Episode;
Review of Southend's Season and National Scene 1946-47

 

[DoDTS]

Final Episode; Review of Southend's Season and the National Scene 1946-47

Southend United Sequences 1946-47

The first 10 matches (Won 5 Drew 4 Lost 1)
The loss was 2-7 but a good start saw the Blues rise to 4th place.

The next 11 matches, (Won 6 matches Drew 2 Lost 3)
The good start continued reaching a best of the season 3rd placing.

The next 9 matches, (Won 4 ,Lost 5)
A patchy period when any hopes of honours disappeared.

The final 12 matches (Won 2 Drew 4Llost 6)
The slump continued for a disappointing final 8th place finish.

Summary of Season 1946-47

The War was over. Well the fighting was but war conditions of hardships and rationing continued so probably the most important fact was that football had been resumed. Before the season started Mr. Harry Warren admitted that he did not think that the players available were together enough to seriously challenge for promotion. At other times such defeatism would be frowned on, but Mr Warrens frank comments were honestly meant and honestly accepted. With many players still in the services and youngsters due to go in, selecting a team and targeting players was not at all easy. Nevertheless as the season progressed it was clear that the Blues had some talented players available to them and by November they had risen to fourth place in the League a position they held until April and only a slight slip at the final hurdle meant they finished eighth, still a creditable placing. Added to that the high scoring cup run culminating in the cup tie at Everton, added greatly to the clubs reputation but also alerted other clubs to the quality of the players. Harry Warren had assembled a squad of players who wanted to play for Southend, with local men like Walton, Dudley and Thompson, players that had proved their loyalty to the club since before the war such as Jackson, Sibley, Hankey and Lane, and useful acquisitions such as Montgomery who clearly demonstrated his desire to play for the United, even before he was transferred. Despite sitting in fourth place in the League for the majority of the season promotion was never a reality especially after Christmas. Cardiff were safely lodged in top spot, and only QPR who finished second looked like they had any chance of catching them. Southend finished 22 points (or 11 wins) behind Cardiff, so perhaps Mr. Warrens pre season comments were correct.

The Reserves

The fact that league football had been resumed was an achievement in itself, so it was perhaps a little optimistic to expect a full programme of 30 Combination games and 14 Combination cup games to be played. The programme was completed but with games postponed during the winter it was a struggle, Southend having to resort to putting two teams out on the same day on a couple of occasions. The season had started reasonably well but from October 5th to Christmas Day the Junior Blues only won two of their sixteen games. The Combination Cup games produced little improvement, but perhaps the best performances came late in the season giving a little optimism for the coming season.

The National Scene


Division One
The final run in for the First Division Championship was a very close run affair, with a game to go Liverpool were in fourth place but they won their last game away at Wolverhampton who were top of the League, Liverpool were now top having played all their games but Stoke in fourth place could still finish above them on goal average if they won their last game away at Sheffield United, but they lost and the title went to Liverpool. Arsenal finished 13th, Chelsea 15th and Charlton 19th, relegated were Brentford and Leeds who only managed n six wins all season, and gaining just one point from their twenty one away games.

Top of the Table:

1….57 points……Liverpool
2….56 points……Manchester United
3….56 points……Wolves

Bottom of the Table

20….33 points……Huddersfield
21….25 points……Brentford
22….18 points……Leeds United

Division Two
Manchester City and Burnley were promoted, with Birmingham third and Chesterfield fourth. Tottenham were in sixth place, West Ham twelfth, followed by Luton, Southampton and Fulham, Millwall were in eighteenth place, while Swansea and Newport were relegated.

Top of the Table:

1….62 points……Manchester City
2….58 points……Burnley
3….55 points……Birmingham city

Bottom of the Table

20….32 points……Sheffield Wednesday
21….29 points……Swansea Town
22….23 points……Newport County

Division Three Northern Section:
Doncaster were the undisputed champions of the Northern section only losing three league games all season scoring 123 goals and finishing eight points ahead of Rotherham in second place and 16 ahead of Chester in third. Halifax and Southport had to apply for re-election finishing seven points behind Accrington and more behind the rest of the field.

Top of the Table:

1….72 points……Doncaster Rovers
2….64 points……Rotherham United
3….56 points……Chester

Bottom of the Table

20….32 points……Accrington Stanley
21….25 points……Southport
22….22 points……Halifax Town

Division Three Southern Section:
Cardiff were clear champions by nine points only losing 6 league matches all season, a record attendance was set at Ninian Park for the visit of Bristol City when 51, 621 spectators attended. Southend finished eighth while at the bottom Norwich and Mansfield had to apply for re-election finishing four points behind Aldershot and Leyton Orient.

Top of the Table:

1….66 points……Cardiff City
2….57 points……Queens Park Rangers
3….51 points……Bristol City

Bottom of the Table

20….32 points……Aldershot
21….28 points……Norwich City
22….28 points……Mansfield Town

Re-Election

Northern Section:
Halifax and Southport were re-elected to the League without a vote being taken. Unsuccessful non-league applicants were Annfield Plain, Ashington, Ashton United, Bangor City, Consett, Dudley Town, Nelson, North Shields, Northwich Victoria, Scunthorpe and Lindsey United, Shrewsbury Town, Stockton, South Liverpool, Wigan Athletic and Workington

Southern Section:
Norwich and Mansfield were re-elected to the League without a vote being taken, with Mansfield then being transferred to Division 3 (North). Unsuccessful non-league applicants were Barry Town, Bath City, Chelmsford City, Colchester United, Gillingham, Gravesend and Northfleet, Guildford City, Llanelly, Merthyr Tydfil, Peterborough United, Worcester City and Yeovil Town.

F.A. Cup

After putting Southend out of the cup, Everton were drawn away in the fourth round to Sheffield Wednesday but lost 1-2. In the fifth round Wednesday made their exit from the cup losing 0-2 at home to Preston, Birmingham beat Manchester City 5-0 while Middlesbrough disposed of Nottingham Forest 6-2 after a replay, and they were joined by Burnley, Charlton, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield United. In the sixth round Burnley, Charlton, and Liverpool had home wins over Middlesbrough, Preston and Birmingham, while Newcastle triumphed at Sheffield United. In the semi finals Burnley and Liverpool played out a goalless draw at Ewood Park, but then Burnley gained a single goal victory at Maine Road. Charlton eased into the final with a 4-0 win over Newcastle at Elland Road. The final was one of the less memorable matches with Charlton beating Burnley their second division opponents by a single goal scored in extra time. For the second cup final running the ball burst, which was later explained by the poor quality of leather available just after the war.



Home International Championship

England made their intentions known in the first game of the tournament beating Ireland 7-2 in Belfast with a hattrick from Wilf Mannion (who was later to be linked by rumour with a move to Southend) and goals from Tom Finney, Tom Lawton, Raich Carter and Bobby Langton. Wales defeated Scotland 3-1 at Wrexham but then lost 3-0 to England at Maine Road, Manchester. Scotland and Ireland played out a goal less draw, and then Ireland beat Wales 2-1. The last match was the traditional England v Scotland clash at Wembley which finished in a 1-1 draw hence England winning the first post war home International Championship.

THE END​

 

[Firestorm]

Unsuccessful non-league applicants were Annfield Plain, Ashington, Ashton United, Bangor City, Consett, Dudley Town, Nelson, North Shields, Northwich Victoria, Scunthorpe and Lindsey United, Shrewsbury Town, Stockton, South Liverpool, Wigan Athletic and Workington

Nothing like spreading your applications too thinly....
Consett ,Annfield plain , North Shields, Stockton and Ashington are with 30 miles of each other. Consett and Annfield are just 5 miles apart..

Nice to see Col U and Gills over achieving again !!