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

[DoDTS]

I know that historical stuff isn’t for everyone but for those that do hopefully this will be a little bit different. A complete review of Season 1946-47 (researched from the Southend Standards of the day) in weekly instalments every Thursday. That’s 72 years ago few will have actual memories but this was Southend and Southend United that our parents and grandparents knew. Pease feel free to add comments:

1946-47 Southend United getting back to Normal

Episode 1:

The second World War finished in 1945 but that didn’t mean that the soldiers serving overseas jumped on the next train home, or that those that been working away or evacuated couldn’t just pick up where they left off. For those returning to Southend many didn’t know if their house had been bombed to the ground, vandalised or what state it would be in. For those who had good jobs before the war but had been on army pay for the last few years returned to debt and to add insult found rates bills unpaid for the last 5 years. Southend had a population of 150,000 before the war but with fear that Southend would be an invasion point it was dropped to 50,000, the authorities doing everything they could to move people out

It had been hoped that football would be reinstated for 1945-46 but this was not possible and a hastily put together Leagues were formed but as in the War years they were little more than friendless.

Preparation for the Season
At the thirty fifth annual general meeting of the shareholders of the club Mr. C. Nevill Newitt, chairman of the Directors made a prophecy of a boom year in gate receipts at Southend United matches. He stated “The gate receipts of the past season of £13,758 14s 11d were very satisfactory although they were 55 or 60 per cent less than pre-war. However the wages account of £3,649 was very small and the profit had greatly been built up by the fact that they had paid less wages. The players working on a match basis had gone a long way towards helping the club to make a profit We have a playing staff which is much smaller than that usually run by this club. We are keeping it to a minimum and with it keeping our expenses to a minimum”.. A claim against the War Department for loss and damage to the Company’s property whilst the ground was requisitioned has not been settled and is not included in the balance sheet.

Season ticket sales supported this view but some still had pre-war season tickets. In the year that war broke out existing season ticket holders had the option of using them to watch war football matches or defer till the first full season after the war which was 1946-47. These supporters had to inform the manager whether they wished their old seat to be retained.

Supporters were as always dedicated as the Southend Standard reported in June 1946 ‘One Leigh family will be going to Southend United matches next season and it will cost them one hundred pounds. Reason: There are twenty members in the family, eighteen of them having the same surname and they have all applied for season tickets at £5 each. A cheque for £100 will be handed to Mr. Harry Warren today’.

It was stated that as greyhound racing takes place at the Stadium each Wednesday it will be necessary for the United to play mid-week games on Thursdays. They have no option in accordance with the terms of their tenancy, however to give shop assistants and those whose half-day is on a Wednesday an opportunity to see the games the kick off has been made as late as possible. No mid week games will start before 6 p.m. and there will be two games starting at 6.15 p.m. A combination game in October will start at 5.30 p.m. The directors have done everything within their power to consider those who can only watch matches midweek and the decision is the best in the circumstances. Harry Warren has applied to the Corporation and local bus companies for special transport to the Stadium on match days in the coming season

Local News
The housing committee recently formed at Ashingdon with a view to urging the Rochford Rural council to requisition more houses has quickly gone into action and last weekend installed two families in Army huts which have been unoccupied at South Fambridge for some time. Homeless families who moved into former Army huts on a disused searchlight site at South Fambridge two weeks ago are without water. Inadequately housed persons on Canvey Island took over the hutment quarters of the abandoned Artillery camp. The government gave permission for squatters rights at 6 a.m. and within an hour these unfortunate persons who had lived under most distressing conditions were trekking with push-carts, perambulators and wheeled boxes all filled with some kind of household goods from which to secure a foothold. Another Canvey resident has entered derelict property adjoining the village hall.

A dozen local families have been moved into large timber constructed huts at Belfairs on a former A.A. gun-site which has not been occupied by the Army for the past year. The “squatters” are nearly all ex-service men and their families, although one hut is occupied by an Eastwood couple who are in their sixties. Most of them have been on the local authority waiting list for homes for months past, and seeing no hope in their queues for houses or flats moved into the huts in desperation. They recognize that the huts are not exactly the ideal home but in almost every case they are better than the conditions in which the “squatters” have been living recently.

Pre- Season
The United players reported for training on Tuesday July 30th.

Episode 2 Next Thursday - Meet the players

 

[Cricko]

Great stuff Pete, I know we chatted about this on Saturday. Looking forward to hearing about those games you attended in the 40-50s

 

[ozzie]

Nice one Peter..

 

[shrimp in orbit]

really interesting. Maybe history is not for everyone, but Ill read all your posts week by week!

 

[Reynardine]

Thanks - very interesting and will be following. My grandparents in Westcliff were among those who left the area during the war, moving to the relative safety of a house in Middlesex.

 

[Snowy]

My Grandmother was moved up to Ely, where my Mum was born. Grandfather (an avid Southend Fan from prior to the war was based out in India).
Great article, didn't realise they moved so many people out.

 

[DoDTS]

My Grandmother was moved up to Ely, where my Mum was born. Grandfather (an avid Southend Fan from prior to the war was based out in India).
Great article, didn't realise they moved so many people out.

• Many were in the forces of course,
• The Schools were closed so all children should have been evacuated, if not the Police would come knocking on your door wanting to know why,
• Woman and Men not in the forces in non essential jobs would be sent away for war work, i.e a teenage girl from Maldon Road was sent to work in a Munition factory in Bradford, she hated it and came home, so she was prosecuted.

Incidentally if you were moved away the official line was that your pets should be destroyed. The main destination for the children was the Mansfield district and you made personal arrangements

 

[DoDTS]

While Southend's population was decimated, in other areas such as Mansfield their population was swelled with evacuees, and their properties were relatively safe from bombing, vandalism and looting. Their shop owners thrived while in Southend they struggled or went out of business.

The slogan for the war was "We are all in this together" but Southenders would add "Yes but some more than others"

PS A bit more football stuff next week

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

• Many were in the forces of course,
• The Schools were closed so all children should have been evacuated, if not the Police would come knocking on your door wanting to know why,
• Woman and Men not in the forces in non essential jobs would be sent away for war work, i.e a teenage girl from Maldon Road was sent to work in a Munition factory in Bradford, she hated it and came home, so she was prosecuted.

Incidentally if you were moved away the official line was that your pets should be destroyed. The main destination for the children was the Mansfield district and you made personal arrangements

Our mother was evacuated to Derbyshire and used to amuse us with expressions she picked up there like "put wood in hole" ie shut the door.

 

[buffalowolf]

My Grandmother was moved up to Ely, where my Mum was born. Grandfather (an avid Southend Fan from prior to the war was based out in India).
Great article, didn't realise they moved so many people out.

I do believe my father was also based out in India during the war.

 

[buffalowolf]

where i lived in Southend we had a bomb shelter halfway up the alley dividing the houses in Albert Rd From the houses in St Leonards Road.,i was born in 1946 also.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

where i lived in Southend we had a bomb shelter halfway up the alley dividing the houses in Albert Rd From the houses in St Leonards Road.,i was born in 1946 also.

Only born five years later than you,so presumably the evacues were back by then.

 

[DoDTS]

Only born five later than you,so presumably the evacues were back by then.

As the war progressed and it seemed that invasion was unlikely families started to bring their children back against the authorities wishes. As the momentum grew the pressure grew to open one school in the borough but this was stubbornly refused.

So these children grew up for a year or two with no schooling playing out in bombed areas. There was report of children finding an unexploded bomb, taking it on top of a garage roof and throwing it off trying to make it explode.

 

[wildheart]

Great stuff. My Dad was evacuated in 1941 (he was 13) after his School (New hall) was bombed the headmaster was killed.

As a local roofer I had the joy of clearing sand off many roofs in Southend, Westcliff and Leigh which had come from the beeches. They had feared incendiary bombs could cause a fire storm as in the blitz in London.

Thanks for such an interesting post.

 

[DoDTS]

Episode 2: MEET THE PLAYERS

In May 1946 Southend United offered terms for the coming season to 24 players. Some of them were pre-war men still in the Services. At a recent Football League meeting it was agreed that players still in the Services could be retained for a small summer wage and a payment for every match played while those on essential work are to receive no summer wages and a match payment in the winter. This means that large clubs can retain more players than is customary at very little expense and the result is that the smaller clubs are going to find it hard to secure experienced players. Some midland clubs recently approached by Mr. Harry Warren have retained as many as 60 or 70 professionals It cuts both ways however for the United is enabled to keep on their lists pre-war players whom the present manager has not seen in action.

Mr Harry Warren has signed on four first class players and is in negotiations for two more, thirteen of the professional players who were offered terms have accepted. They are Hankey and Davis goalkeepers: Humphries and O’Brien full backs: Savage, Jackson and Walton half backs; Smirk, Sibley, Gibson, Thompson, Dudley and Peters forwards; S. Bell. Linton and Shallcross who are in the Services and Jenkins are expected to accept within the next few days. Conway and Singleton who refused the terms have been given free transfers and Harris has been placed on the transfer list. The new players secured so far are V. Jones centre forward from Derby County aged 28 years, F. Sheard centre half from Leicester City 23 years, D. Hamilton inside forward from Newcastle aged 27 and Harry Lane the ex-United forward who was transferred to Plymouth.

One player Southend really wanted to sign was Stan Montgomery who had guested for Southend previously. At the meeting in June 1946 Mr. Harry Warren met Major F. Buckley and representatives of Hull City regarding Montgomery and made a definite offer for the player which was refused. Montgomery claims that when he signed professional forms for Hull he had an understanding that he would be registered only for the period he was stationed in the district with the R.A.F. and he has refused to sign on for the City. In July 1946 The Football League to whom Montgomery appealed regarding his registration refused to take any action. Although he has not signed on for Hull City he has received notice to report for training but he has arranged an interview with the club this weekend when he intends to ask to be placed on the transfer list. Meanwhile Southend United are watching with interest and Mr. Harry Warren states “ if Hull City place him on the transfer list there will be ready buyers”.

In July 1946 news of other players was that Linton has been in hospital and has undergone a minor operation which accounts for the fact that he has not yet re-signed. Incidentally he has been promoted to flight Lieutenant. Southend had also signed four amateurs. J Learmouth, inside forward, Reg Dudley just discharged from the Navy and a brother of Frank Dudley, A Bridge of Eastwood who has played at centre half in Army football and L. Bright a goalkeeper from Leicestershire. They also signed on 19 year old Stanley Moreton a professional outside left from Luton Town. He has another twelve months to serve in the Army but there is a possibility that he will play for the United next season. Mr Harry Warren is also in touch with West Bromwich Albion regarding an experienced full back their attempts to sign the Tottenham captain Ralph Ward having failed, that player now having been taken off the transfer list. When the United signed Frank Sheard, centre half from Leicester they knew there was a possibility that he would be called up. Now a few days after his marriage, Sheard has had his medical examination and he will have to go into the Services but that does not necessarily mean he will not be able to play

Local News
The war was over but Southend was perhaps receiving a backlash with a lot of social problems as reported in the Southend Standard during the summer of 1946.:

“Deaths on the road are so numerous that no-one should drive a car as you did when under the influence of drink” said the chairman of the Southend Magistrates Court in a case where repeated attempts to stop a car zig zagging down Princes Avenue, Southend. The man said he was celebrating as he had just come out of the Services, he was sorry for what had happened.

For the second time in six months thieves have raided the shop of a furrier in Westcliff and made their escape with valuable furs. A plate glass window was smashed and furs valued £1,000 grabbed. It is believed that three men were involved and they drove off in a fast car.

The annual report of the chief constable of Southend records a substantial increase in crime, there having been 2,654 indictable offences, the highest figure since the formation of the Borough. The figure given is an increase of 800 or 42 per cent compared to the previous year. and an increase of 75% compared to 1944. For all types of “breaking” these offences showed the greatest rise. Five cases of murder and one case of attempted murder were committed within the Borough. Two men were executed with three murders and in a further case of murder the person responsible committed suicide.

The 8,000 Ekco workers who staged a protest march through the town, after calling an unofficial strike at Messrs. E.K. Cole’s Prittlewell factory, are now back at work and the management state that discussions through the usual channels are proceeding. Unrest started in the factory some time ago when the management announced that there would be a cut in redundant male labour. Employees objected that at the same time as men were being dismissed, the management were advertising for more women workers and overtime was being worked in some departments.

The Playing Staff for the Start of the Season

The Players that Southend start the season with are:

Goalkeepers: 32 year old Ted Hankey born in Stoke who had first signed for the Blues in 1937 while in the Army and Len Davis also from the Army was cover.

Full-backs: Falkirk born, Tommy Linton aged 26 who had joined from the Army; 21 year old Ron Humphries had been signed from Snowdown Colliery Welfare in Kent and 37 year old Sid Bell had first signed in 1937. These three could be assisted by half backs F. Walton and Harris.

Half-backs : Local lad Frank Walton had signed from school in 1934 and was now aged 28 and he was joined by his six year younger brother Harry Walton. Frank Sheard aged 24 had been signed from Leicester while long serving Bob Jackson and Arthur Harris; both now aged 32 had signed in 1934 and 1936 respectively.





Forwards: 25 year old Ken Bennett from Wood Green who had signed from Leicester; while Alf Smirk signed from the Sunderland Omnibus Company now aged 29 had excelled before the war. Frank Dudley was a local product and showing great promise at the age of 21 as was Cyril Thompson also born in Southend but seven years older having had his career delayed by the war, these two were rivals for the centre forward spot. Joe Sibley aged 27,was another pre-war player of undoubted ability. The most senior player was 37 year old Harry Lane who had first signed in 1933 but who had returned to the Blues after a spell with Plymouth. 22 year old Tommy Tippett had joined from the Army while other supporting players were Bob Gibson aged 30; David Hamilton 27 year old signed from Newcastle, 27 year old Harry Woodward and 32 year old John Gardiner.



Next Thursday Episode 3: Pre-Season Friendlies (the Season didn’t start until 31st August 1946)

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Excellent post Pete.

I knew Alf Smirk quite well in the late 60's when he was a reporter on The Southend Standard, (he was married to my aunt's sister) and I went on quite a few away trips with him and my aunt.

 

[Banksy]

Frank Dudley - Was one of the nicest men in football who served the Blues very well.

 

[Benfleet A1]

I love the local news bit. Sounds like Southend was the Wild West back in the 40's. Great stuff, keep it coming.

 

[DoDTS]

Episode 3: Pre- Season Friendlies

Before we start don’t get too excited about playing exotic opposition at this time pre season friendlies were public trial matches between the first team wearing the home Blue shirts and the reserves wearing the change strip of Red. Up until 1934 the change strip was black and white stripes but when ex Arsenal player David Jack was appointed manager he introduced Red away shirts trying to be more Like Arsenal.

With the opening of the football season rapidly approaching the directors of Southend United had to appoint a trainer and a shortlist of three was selected. They were Wilf Copping the England, Arsenal and Leeds United player who was currently engaged in Belgium. J. Martin for 24 years with Middlesbrough and Dave Richards, former trainer to Queens Park Rangers. Wilf Copping was appointment the new trainer ready for when the players report for training. Mr. Bill Cartwright pre-war trainer of the United who has been on war work in the Midlands has returned to the town and has been appointed to the ground staff.

Southend United secured the services of Jimmy Hogan No. 1 coach of the Football Association to conduct a fortnight’s training campaign at the Stadium, (Hogan has been crediting with the development of European football and when Hungary beat England 6-3 in 1956, they said “we played football the way Jimmy Hogan taught us”). Although the services are intended primarily for the United it is hoped to introduce a scheme so that Southend and district players can benefit. This seems to have gone well as the Southend Standard reported in August 1946, “The fortnights coaching which Jimmy Hogan will commence on Monday has been made available by the directors to local junior clubs. Every club in the Southend and District League and the Borough Combination has been invited to send two representatives on the evenings of August 13th, 15th, 20th and 23rd. In addition other junior footballers and supporters will be admitted as spectators on august 13th and 15th (West Stand entrance) at 6.30 p.m. This gesture on the part of the United has been greatly appreciated by the local league and full advantage will be taken of it. The coaching will be practical as well theoretical”.

The United players reported for training on Tuesday July 30th and at this time Mr Warren made an appeal for furnished or unfurnished accommodation required for one or two players, he has also received a donation from an anonymous supporter of £50 and the same gentleman has promised to entertain the players to dinner after the start of the season.

The United play their first trial match on Saturday and admission will be Ground and East Stand 1s (5p) West Stand 2s 3d (11p). All proceeds are for charity, the kick off is 3.30 p.m. The teams will be
Blues: Hankey; Humphries and Bell; Harris, Sheard and Frank Walton, Smirk Hamilton, Jones , Thompson and Lane.
Reds: Davis; O’Brien and Linton; Harold Walton, Woodward and Bennett; Sibley, Gardiner, Dudley, W. Middleton and Tippett.


Saturday 17th August 1946 First Public Trial Match : Blues 3-1 Reds
The first trial match proved a disappointment for the 3,000 spectators and puzzling for the Southend management. There was little good football throughout and what there was, seldom came from the potential first team. In fact until changes were made in the Reds line up it looked liked the Blues would be defeated and the three goals to one final score in favour of the Blues in no way gave a true indication of the play. The Blues fielded only four of last seasons players, Humphries, Bell, Smirk and Thompson. Jackson was absent owing to a form of poisoning which has just made itself apparent after his war service. Hankey and Harris two pre-war players were also included. Linton last season a reserve was tried at left half while the remaining four were newcomers Sheard, Hamilton, Jones and Lane the last of whom was with the club some years ago. The Reds included the majority of last years reserve side. Bennett formerly of Walsall scored first for the Reds, and Lane equalised. In the second half Jones and Thompson netted for the Blues. The ground was somewhat slippery on top after heavy rain but there was a good covering of grass although it was rather bumpy in places.


Local firm Ekco were competing in the Premier Division of the London League, and the 1st Division of the Southend Borough Combination and also the 1st Division of the Minor League They had an extensive training programme three nights a week in any weather including downpours. E.A. Singleton ex-Southend United centre-forward of last season will play in the same position in this year’s Ekco team having obtained his permit from the Football Association. Another Ekco man Charlie Hillam one time Southend United and Manchester United player has also entered his request for a permit. Arrangements for increased stand accommodation at the Ekco ground in Priory Crescent, points to the expectation of larger crowds. Under coach Harry Footman the players in the Premier Division are preparing for their first match at Epsom on September 7th.

Thursday 15th August 1946 Second Trial Match: Blues 5-2 Reds The second trial match (kick-off), was a great improvement and gave spectators more cause for confidence, the Blues wining by 5-2 after the Reds had enjoyed a greater part of the exchanges in the earlier stages. The team for the opening match will show two changes from that which operated as the Blues in the trial, Dudley replacing Jones at centre forward, Jones pulled a muscle in the trial games, and Smirk coming in for Sibley at outside right. It is confidently expected that Sheard will show up much better in competitive football than he did in the trials. He has been slower than customary in reaching playing fitness and by Saturday, Dudley would not be able to show him such clean pair of heels as he did in the practice games.
Blues: Hankey; Jackson and Bell; Harris, Sheard and F. Walton; Smirk, Hamilton, Jones, Thompson and Lane.
Reds: Davis; Humphries and O’Brien; H. Walton, Woodward and Linton; Sibley, Gibson, Dudley, W. Middleton and Tippett. To be introduced in the second half Moreton, Gardiner, Savage, Bennett and probably an amateur full back named Lawrence.

LOCAL NEWS

Southend’s Greatest Swimmer
Death of Mr. N.L. Derham – Southend’s greatest ever swimmer who became famous with his record breaking swim across the channel has died at the age of 47 years. He was Flight-Lieut. Norman Leslie Derham of East Cowes, Isle-of-Wight who formerly lived at York Road Southend. After two unsuccessful attempts at crossing the channel, one from Folkestone which had to be abandoned after covering a distance of 15 miles and a second from Cap Bianc which was given up within two miles of the English coast. Due to fog. Mr. Derham achieved his greatest ambition in September 1926 with a successful swim taking 13 hours and 55 minutes. A record for an Englishman. On his return to the town he was given an enthusiastic welcome by crowds of Southenders. Flags were hung out and there was a civic welcome by the mayor. At a football match between Southend United and Aberdare at the Kursaal he was chaired round the touchline.

POPULATION GETTING BACK TO PRE-WAR LEVEL
The present population of Southend was estimated at about 132,000 by Southend National Savings Committee and the Food control Committee. This figure is almost equal to the pre-war population.


STREET LIGHTING CUT DOWN
Fuel Ministry Order – Street Lighting in Southend is being drastically cut down in compliance with an order of the Ministry of Fuel. Already men of the Corporation Electricity Department are removing the bulbs from street lamps and by the end of this week there will be no lighting in side streets and only half the present lighting on main roads.

POTATO FAMINE HITS SOUTHEND
The nationwide Potato shortage has been severely felt in Southend this week as hundreds of local housewives queuing for this most basic of vegetable food have discovered. Although there have been potato queues in London and other parts of the country for some time but stocks were kept up in Southend until last weekend. Messrs Garon found themselves typical of Southend’s greengrocers. “Normally we average around 42 tons of potatoes a week in our four shops, This week we will be lucky if we get three tons”

Next Thursday Episode 4; The start of the Season (Walsall home Clapton Orient away)

 

[DoDTS]

Wilf Copping earned the nickname of the “Iron Man of Arsenal” and played 189 for Arsenal before requesting a move to the North to be near his family as war approached. He gained 20 caps for England. In 1998 the F.A. named him as one of the 100 football legends. When he finished training with Southend he stayed in the town and died in Southend aged 70 in 1980.

As a teenager/early twenties I and many others met him often, he used to have a pint or two in the Spread Eagle and was always a very proud, level headed man who would always willingly converse but would never accept a drink.

He told us that he never received more than £2.00 for playing for England but was not slightly resentful of the money that players received in the 1970s (what would he think now).

He told us that in the 1930s a fullback should not pass the half way line and if he did he would likely be fined by his manager. He was a hard-aggressive player and was told when at Arsenal not to shave after a Wednesday before a Saturday match and have is head shaved the night before a match, and then just before going on to the pitch to rub himself all over with horse liniment so that he looked and smelt as hostile as possible.

He was a great man but always looked old and worn out I can’t believe he was only 70 when he died