Ron Manager
formerly Libertine
Firstly I'd like to point out that this is by no way a dig at the fine work being done in the official SZ Hall Of Fame threads. It's a great idea and I think the rules in place and the democractic process should ensure the right results.
However I do find it strange that someone like Ricky Otto is getting so many votes as one of the 12 most influential people in our history. A fantastic player yes, but he isn't in that category at all.
I can only really come up with the following people who fit into that category from my 28 years of watching Southend -
David Webb - Brought us up through the leagues with two succesive promotions and into the second tier of English football for the first time ever. Gave us hope for an all too fleeting moment that he could finish the job and get us into the top flight.
Steve Tilson - Played in the team under David Webb then equalled his feats as manager with a further two succesive promotions. Also took us to our first ever national cup finals and produced the team that knocked out Man Utd.
Chris Powell - Played in the Webby team and when in the old Second Division established himself as the finest left back at that level. When he eventually had the chance to play at the highest level he was good enough to be picked for his country. In my mind the first and only England international that really learned his trade at Roots Hall (you could argue Stan Collmore but his was more a raw and mercurial talent, whereas Chris Powell honed his abilities over an extended period as 'one of us')
That's three people in just over a quarter of a century watching Southend United who I deem worthy of a place in the Hall Of Fame. So the ratio is about right if we are looking for 12 in total from just over a century. That's is how high the bar should be set, not just good or exciting players and not just prolific goalscorers. However people who dramatically altered the club for the better and played a part in making it what it is today.
However I do find it strange that someone like Ricky Otto is getting so many votes as one of the 12 most influential people in our history. A fantastic player yes, but he isn't in that category at all.
I can only really come up with the following people who fit into that category from my 28 years of watching Southend -
David Webb - Brought us up through the leagues with two succesive promotions and into the second tier of English football for the first time ever. Gave us hope for an all too fleeting moment that he could finish the job and get us into the top flight.
Steve Tilson - Played in the team under David Webb then equalled his feats as manager with a further two succesive promotions. Also took us to our first ever national cup finals and produced the team that knocked out Man Utd.
Chris Powell - Played in the Webby team and when in the old Second Division established himself as the finest left back at that level. When he eventually had the chance to play at the highest level he was good enough to be picked for his country. In my mind the first and only England international that really learned his trade at Roots Hall (you could argue Stan Collmore but his was more a raw and mercurial talent, whereas Chris Powell honed his abilities over an extended period as 'one of us')
That's three people in just over a quarter of a century watching Southend United who I deem worthy of a place in the Hall Of Fame. So the ratio is about right if we are looking for 12 in total from just over a century. That's is how high the bar should be set, not just good or exciting players and not just prolific goalscorers. However people who dramatically altered the club for the better and played a part in making it what it is today.
