Another good read.
Southend Team 1949-50 picture
So how many can you name?
Southend Team 1949-50 picture
So how many can you name?
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Memory Lane Season reviews 1920 to 1955
- Thread starter DoDTS
- Start date
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- Tags
- attitudes attract bankruptcy behaviour blues certainty emotions english football english soccer essex football finishing football football league fossets farm fourth division fur league two leasing npower football league obstacle outlet overcome qui rate real football roots hall shrimpers soccer southend southend united southend-on-sea sufc the home of football twenty writer
DoDTS
The PL League Boss⭐⭐
The players are back row from left:
Wilf Copping, trainer. The "Iron man of Arsenal" also England full-back, for top games he would shave his head four days before the game but wouldn't shave his face so he looked as agrresive as possible. Ended his days in Southend used to drink in the Spread, a very proud man, would aways talk football to you, about the modern game (as was then) not stuck in the past, but would always buy his own beer and never except the numerous offers. I remember him well with affection.
"Choppy" Wallbanks. I'm sure he had a proper first name but I can't remember it, but the nickname came from where he was born "Chopwell".
David Lindsey. A big signing in Joe Loughran from Burnley was brought in and Lindsay was dropped which caused a lot of fuss with the supporters and letters to the Standard etc. as he was a populat full-back
Ted Hankey Goalkeeper, also known as "Gunner Hankey" when in the army, regular goalkeeper for a number of years, excellent ih his day but didn't always abide by the rules.
Frank Walton after whom the South Stand is named, local lad long serving and when he was finally released again caused quite a stir with supporters.
JACK FRENCH highly gifted player, loyal but eventually wanted to player at a higher level and was sold to Nottingham Forest yet another stir with supporters as it was purely a cash deal and they wanted a top player in part exchange.
Frank Sheard Big solid centre half.
Front Row from left:
Les Jones winger signed from Plymouth had just one season with Blues.
Albert Wakefield "Our Albert" big signing from Leeds in part exchange for Frank Dudley, the bustling centre forward the club had been crying out for and largely due to him the success of 1949-50. He was badly injured later on and was not the same player after this. He was transferred to Clacton but still banged in the goals for them.
Jimmy McAlinden. A truely classy player, was signed from Stoke, but had to miss the Blues next game as he was playing for Ireland. For several years the side was planned round "Mac", he had taken a bung from Portsmouth prior to joing us and was suspended for four months later on.
Freddie Morris an inside forward signed from Barnsley.
Jimmy Clough left-winger signed from Crystal Palace.
Wilf Copping, trainer. The "Iron man of Arsenal" also England full-back, for top games he would shave his head four days before the game but wouldn't shave his face so he looked as agrresive as possible. Ended his days in Southend used to drink in the Spread, a very proud man, would aways talk football to you, about the modern game (as was then) not stuck in the past, but would always buy his own beer and never except the numerous offers. I remember him well with affection.
"Choppy" Wallbanks. I'm sure he had a proper first name but I can't remember it, but the nickname came from where he was born "Chopwell".
David Lindsey. A big signing in Joe Loughran from Burnley was brought in and Lindsay was dropped which caused a lot of fuss with the supporters and letters to the Standard etc. as he was a populat full-back
Ted Hankey Goalkeeper, also known as "Gunner Hankey" when in the army, regular goalkeeper for a number of years, excellent ih his day but didn't always abide by the rules.
Frank Walton after whom the South Stand is named, local lad long serving and when he was finally released again caused quite a stir with supporters.
JACK FRENCH highly gifted player, loyal but eventually wanted to player at a higher level and was sold to Nottingham Forest yet another stir with supporters as it was purely a cash deal and they wanted a top player in part exchange.
Frank Sheard Big solid centre half.
Front Row from left:
Les Jones winger signed from Plymouth had just one season with Blues.
Albert Wakefield "Our Albert" big signing from Leeds in part exchange for Frank Dudley, the bustling centre forward the club had been crying out for and largely due to him the success of 1949-50. He was badly injured later on and was not the same player after this. He was transferred to Clacton but still banged in the goals for them.
Jimmy McAlinden. A truely classy player, was signed from Stoke, but had to miss the Blues next game as he was playing for Ireland. For several years the side was planned round "Mac", he had taken a bung from Portsmouth prior to joing us and was suspended for four months later on.
Freddie Morris an inside forward signed from Barnsley.
Jimmy Clough left-winger signed from Crystal Palace.
DoDTS
The PL League Boss⭐⭐
SEASON 1950-51
THE POSSIBILITY OF A NEW GROUND
Season 1950-51 was overshadowed by off the field events rather than the playing performances. The big news at the start of the season was the progression of the new Stadium and the purchase of the land, but this should have been bringing the club together actually worked in the opposite direction. The original plan was for an all purpose Sports Stadium for the Borough, but with a change of plan it was decided to build a football only stadium for Roots Hall. Today that might seem as a sensible and logical idea but in 1950, with a great sense of fair-play, some were very upset, the chairman Nevil Newitt resigning over the issue.
Another blow before the season started was the suspension of skipper Jimmy McAlinden for receiving an illegal payment from Portsmouth some years before he even joined Southend. It was a crucial blow as the team was planned around McAlinden and the club appealed against the decision which seemed extremely harsh on Southend United who had done nothing wrong, but of course it was rejected. The loss of McAlinden until October was somewhat offset with the news that former star Joe Sibley was returning to the club from Newcastle for whom he had left for a big fee previously. The club was still maintaining its “buying club not a selling club” stand and this was reinforced with the signing of centre half Jim Stirling, however the club was stunned with the news that Jimmy McAlinden wanted to leave. Thankfully he didn’t go, but that was his choice not the club who had little say in the matter. Then up and coming young inside forward Reg Davies was transferred to Newcastle for a fee of about £10,000, the club admitting that they needed the cash, new grounds aren’t cheap. An injury to Albert Wakefield was another serious blow but Leslie Stubbs was maturing fast and made the transition to leader well. So with all this turmoil the season seemed insignificant. Without the suspension of McAlinden who knows what the Blues could achieve, perhaps higher than last season’s third place. They were third after three games, fifteenth after seven, and by the end of September were fourth. Strangely enough with McAlinden’s return to the side their performances rather fell away and by the end of the year they had settled in eleventh position, and from then on they steadily climbed the table. The climax was match no. 41 of 46 and a 3-2 victory over eventual champions Nottingham Forest with Blues back into fourth position and briefly the possibility of promotion looked like it could happen. Then of course Southend faded and they finished in seventh spot. Two games in the season stand out both against Swindon, the first a huge disappointment losing 0-3 at the Stadium in the F.A.Cup and then three months later the repeat fixture saw Swindon take a two goal lead but the Blues replied with eight goals. Perhaps these two fixtures sum up the season.
F.A.Cup Round 1
Southend United 0-3 Swindon Town.
Any hopes the United had of a run in the F.A. Cup were soon dashed when in their second home Cup-tie in twelve years, after one of the poorest displays by the United for some time thy were defeated by Swindon. It was heart breaking for the 10,000 fans who saw this game in the drizzling rain. Once again the United were unable to finish and on the very heavy pitch persisted in playing the short passing game, instead of opening up the game. Most disappointing feature of the game was the failure of Wakefield and it is now several weeks since he scored. Swindon’s three goals were scored in the second half in the 53rd, 67th and 87th minute and there was never any doubt as to their superiority in front of goal throughout the whole 90 minutes. As the final goal went in and many of the crowd were making their way to the exits, one lone Supporter played the “last post” on his bugle, usually reserved for celebrating goals. Team: Nash; Loughran and Walton; French, Woodward and Lawler; Butler, McAlinden, Wakefield, Grant and Davies
No.32 Div 3 (South)
Southend United 8-2 Swindon Town.
If revenge is sweet then Southend have every reason to be proud and happy with themselves this week, the 10,000 crowd saw United strike their most devastating form of the season, they played as a team and every one of the eleven men gave their best.. For the first fourteen minutes of the game it looked like Swindon were in for a repeat performance, after six minutes they opened the scoring with a long range drive from 30 yards. Swindon went further ahead in the fourteenth minute when they dribbled through the Blues defence and a perfect cross was netted. United supporters were groaning and prepared to face up to a home defeat but in the 18th minute Tippett scored the goal which proved the turning point. McAlinden had gathered the ball in the middle of the field putting a pass through to Sibley who’s accurate centre was sliced into the net by Tippett, and two minutes later the scores were level when Davies intercepted a bad back pass. Three minutes later Southend where in front when again after the McAlinden/Sibley partnership Grant headed home. Five goals in 23 minutes was good value for anybodies money but they were not finished on 32 minutes when Lawler crashed home a shot from a corner. By this time the Blues totally dominated the game and a further goal was added through Grant from a Sibley centre. Tippett came more into the picture and he netted his second in the 61st minute, then Sibley with another of his dazzling runs lead to another goal by Tippett, and Three minutes later the scoring was complete thanks to Tippett again from a Sibley centre Team: Scannell; Loughran and Anderson; French, Stirling and Lawler; Sibley,McAlinden, Grant, Stubbs and Davies.
The leading appearances were: Lawler 45; French 43; Loughran 42; Sibley 39; McAlinden 32; Stubbs 31; Anderson Tippett 30; While 5 Goalscorers reached double figures: Stubbs 19; Wakefield 15; Davies, Grant and Tippett 12 each
THE RESERVES
It had been generally accepted that the Reserves were entertaining to watch, with the chance of seeing clubs and players from higher spheres, but any success certainly wasn’t expected. This theory had partly been dispelled during Season 1949-50 when Southend won their 14 match Combination Cup Group but it was thought that was just a flash in the pan. However in the 1950-51 in the Combination League the young Blues put up a very creditable showing finishing runners up in their 16 team group. They started well with straight wins scoring 11 goals against 2 conceded, but the good start didn’t last and by mid October with 17 games gone they had still only won three more games than they had lost. They then won their next five games scoring 17 conceding 3, which included a 4-0 against Crystal Palace, a 4-0 Bristol Rovers and a 4-2 against Swansea. They found themselves level at the top of the table with Arsenal on points just second on goal average, and their next game was at home to Arsenal. The game was played in front of league size crowd but the game ended in a draw, and in reality that was the end of Southend’s hope of winning the group but they finished second, in a group which had the reserve sides of two First Division, eight Second Division clubs and five Third Division clubs.
THE POSSIBILITY OF A NEW GROUND
Season 1950-51 was overshadowed by off the field events rather than the playing performances. The big news at the start of the season was the progression of the new Stadium and the purchase of the land, but this should have been bringing the club together actually worked in the opposite direction. The original plan was for an all purpose Sports Stadium for the Borough, but with a change of plan it was decided to build a football only stadium for Roots Hall. Today that might seem as a sensible and logical idea but in 1950, with a great sense of fair-play, some were very upset, the chairman Nevil Newitt resigning over the issue.
Another blow before the season started was the suspension of skipper Jimmy McAlinden for receiving an illegal payment from Portsmouth some years before he even joined Southend. It was a crucial blow as the team was planned around McAlinden and the club appealed against the decision which seemed extremely harsh on Southend United who had done nothing wrong, but of course it was rejected. The loss of McAlinden until October was somewhat offset with the news that former star Joe Sibley was returning to the club from Newcastle for whom he had left for a big fee previously. The club was still maintaining its “buying club not a selling club” stand and this was reinforced with the signing of centre half Jim Stirling, however the club was stunned with the news that Jimmy McAlinden wanted to leave. Thankfully he didn’t go, but that was his choice not the club who had little say in the matter. Then up and coming young inside forward Reg Davies was transferred to Newcastle for a fee of about £10,000, the club admitting that they needed the cash, new grounds aren’t cheap. An injury to Albert Wakefield was another serious blow but Leslie Stubbs was maturing fast and made the transition to leader well. So with all this turmoil the season seemed insignificant. Without the suspension of McAlinden who knows what the Blues could achieve, perhaps higher than last season’s third place. They were third after three games, fifteenth after seven, and by the end of September were fourth. Strangely enough with McAlinden’s return to the side their performances rather fell away and by the end of the year they had settled in eleventh position, and from then on they steadily climbed the table. The climax was match no. 41 of 46 and a 3-2 victory over eventual champions Nottingham Forest with Blues back into fourth position and briefly the possibility of promotion looked like it could happen. Then of course Southend faded and they finished in seventh spot. Two games in the season stand out both against Swindon, the first a huge disappointment losing 0-3 at the Stadium in the F.A.Cup and then three months later the repeat fixture saw Swindon take a two goal lead but the Blues replied with eight goals. Perhaps these two fixtures sum up the season.
F.A.Cup Round 1
Southend United 0-3 Swindon Town.
Any hopes the United had of a run in the F.A. Cup were soon dashed when in their second home Cup-tie in twelve years, after one of the poorest displays by the United for some time thy were defeated by Swindon. It was heart breaking for the 10,000 fans who saw this game in the drizzling rain. Once again the United were unable to finish and on the very heavy pitch persisted in playing the short passing game, instead of opening up the game. Most disappointing feature of the game was the failure of Wakefield and it is now several weeks since he scored. Swindon’s three goals were scored in the second half in the 53rd, 67th and 87th minute and there was never any doubt as to their superiority in front of goal throughout the whole 90 minutes. As the final goal went in and many of the crowd were making their way to the exits, one lone Supporter played the “last post” on his bugle, usually reserved for celebrating goals. Team: Nash; Loughran and Walton; French, Woodward and Lawler; Butler, McAlinden, Wakefield, Grant and Davies
No.32 Div 3 (South)
Southend United 8-2 Swindon Town.
If revenge is sweet then Southend have every reason to be proud and happy with themselves this week, the 10,000 crowd saw United strike their most devastating form of the season, they played as a team and every one of the eleven men gave their best.. For the first fourteen minutes of the game it looked like Swindon were in for a repeat performance, after six minutes they opened the scoring with a long range drive from 30 yards. Swindon went further ahead in the fourteenth minute when they dribbled through the Blues defence and a perfect cross was netted. United supporters were groaning and prepared to face up to a home defeat but in the 18th minute Tippett scored the goal which proved the turning point. McAlinden had gathered the ball in the middle of the field putting a pass through to Sibley who’s accurate centre was sliced into the net by Tippett, and two minutes later the scores were level when Davies intercepted a bad back pass. Three minutes later Southend where in front when again after the McAlinden/Sibley partnership Grant headed home. Five goals in 23 minutes was good value for anybodies money but they were not finished on 32 minutes when Lawler crashed home a shot from a corner. By this time the Blues totally dominated the game and a further goal was added through Grant from a Sibley centre. Tippett came more into the picture and he netted his second in the 61st minute, then Sibley with another of his dazzling runs lead to another goal by Tippett, and Three minutes later the scoring was complete thanks to Tippett again from a Sibley centre Team: Scannell; Loughran and Anderson; French, Stirling and Lawler; Sibley,McAlinden, Grant, Stubbs and Davies.
The leading appearances were: Lawler 45; French 43; Loughran 42; Sibley 39; McAlinden 32; Stubbs 31; Anderson Tippett 30; While 5 Goalscorers reached double figures: Stubbs 19; Wakefield 15; Davies, Grant and Tippett 12 each
THE RESERVES
It had been generally accepted that the Reserves were entertaining to watch, with the chance of seeing clubs and players from higher spheres, but any success certainly wasn’t expected. This theory had partly been dispelled during Season 1949-50 when Southend won their 14 match Combination Cup Group but it was thought that was just a flash in the pan. However in the 1950-51 in the Combination League the young Blues put up a very creditable showing finishing runners up in their 16 team group. They started well with straight wins scoring 11 goals against 2 conceded, but the good start didn’t last and by mid October with 17 games gone they had still only won three more games than they had lost. They then won their next five games scoring 17 conceding 3, which included a 4-0 against Crystal Palace, a 4-0 Bristol Rovers and a 4-2 against Swansea. They found themselves level at the top of the table with Arsenal on points just second on goal average, and their next game was at home to Arsenal. The game was played in front of league size crowd but the game ended in a draw, and in reality that was the end of Southend’s hope of winning the group but they finished second, in a group which had the reserve sides of two First Division, eight Second Division clubs and five Third Division clubs.
DoDTS
The PL League Boss⭐⭐
SEASON 1951-52
EXCELLENT HOME RECORD AND THE F.A.CUP
The news pre-season was that watching the Blues will cost fans more money, prices of admission to all parts of the ground were increased including season tickets. Prices of admission were increased by 3d (1p) to 1s 6d. season tickets were raised from £5 to £6 6s (£6.30), and the ground season ticket was increased to £2 5s the board also discussed new wage scales for players and decided to pay League side members the maximum of £14 a week for the new season and in addition to increase wages of the combination side..
Season 1951-52 will of course be remembered for the cup run that took Blues to the fifth round of the F.A. Cup and at half time of that match it looked as though they could have gone further, but perhaps it should more be remembered as a season of a tremendous home record. All the five cup games were played at the Stadium, resulting in four wins and one defeat scoring 17 goals conceding 4, while in the League 23 games saw only one defeat, winning sixteen and drawing six others. All in all it was a formidable record, including a 7-1 win, a 5-0, 4-0 and two 5-1 victories. Their home record was only beaten by the top two sides Plymouth and Reading, yet away from home they only managed three wins out of their twenty three matches. In fact they only gained more points away from home than two clubs, Walsall who finished bottom and Gillingham who finished two places above bottom place. The reality was than ninth in the table was probably a fair conclusion, but if they could only have improved their away form they could have been serious promotion contenders. While it was good for the home fans to see the side at their best, it made no sense to have such contrasts in form. More importantly with the proposed move to Roots Hall on everybody’s minds it was clear that promotion was as important as a new ground, and one without the other would ultimately cause serious financial problems.
The leading appearances were: Lawler 51; Anderson and French 50 each; Loughran 48; Grant and McAlinden 47 each; Sibley 43; Sheard 37; Stubbs 36; Wakefield 33; Scannell 31. While the leading goalscorers were: Wakefield 21; Grant and Stubbs 18 each; French 11; Sibley 9.
F.A. CUP
Round 1 Southend United 6-1 Bournemouth
Bournemouth were captained for the day by former Blues winger Tommy Tippett but they tried to frustrate Southend by playing the off-side trap and were successful for twenty five minutes when Stubbs headed Blues in the lead and by the end the supporters were calling for a seventh goal
Round 2 Southend United 5-0 Oldham athletic
“Over 2,000 Oldham supporters will arrive for the first meeting of the two teams. Practically every factory in the area is organising an excursion to Southend. Many of these trips are being run by the firms own buses. They will leave Oldham at midnight on Friday and travel through the night. after the game most of them will commence the return journey immediately as many are due to start a night work shift on Sunday”.
Round 3 Southend United 3-0 Southampton
The victory was the outcome of a wonderful game , certainly one of the best seen in post war years at the Stadium, and when Sibley scored United’s first goal after 40 minutes the crowd went wild with delight and hats were flung into the air. The match also saw the return of former Southend hero Frank Dudley now playing for Southampton.
Round 4 Southend United 2-1 Bristol Rovers
The game was a fight to the finish and what a finish it was, with Jack French putting paid to Rovers hopes nine minutes from time. The Rovers fans were hushed. The strains of “Goodnight Irene” which was sung virtually non-stop since they took the lead two minutes after the interval, died away and were not heard again.
Round 5 Southend United 1-2 Sheffield United
The game was 26 minutes old when Loughran pushed the ball through to Wakefield who flicked it over his head and past the advancing goalkeeper. Blues had a lucky escape seven minutes later but Wakefield missed a glorious chance two minutes from the interval. The first fifteen minutes of the second half proved fatal as Sheffield took full advantage of a lack of concentration, faulty marking and lacksadasical football by the Blues defence.
THE RESERVES
Season 1951-52 can only be described as dismal as far as the Reserves are concerned. The Combination league season started with a home defeat and was followed up by a 0-6 defeat and that about summed up their season, which ended with nine wins, three draws and 18 defeats. Of the nine games won the highlight was the 4-1 win at QPR in September, four of the other wins were by a single goal the other four by a two goal margin. The low points were the 0-6 defeat at Fulham, 0-5 at Reading, 1-5 at Swansea and 2-5 at Millwall.
If they were looking for some consolation in the Combination Cup they were out of luck, three wins and eleven defeats left them finish eighth out of eight, highlight a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace the low point a 0-6 defeat at Tottenham. There was a time when the Reserves were considered as equal if not better entertainment than the first team, that time had well and truly past.
EXCELLENT HOME RECORD AND THE F.A.CUP
The news pre-season was that watching the Blues will cost fans more money, prices of admission to all parts of the ground were increased including season tickets. Prices of admission were increased by 3d (1p) to 1s 6d. season tickets were raised from £5 to £6 6s (£6.30), and the ground season ticket was increased to £2 5s the board also discussed new wage scales for players and decided to pay League side members the maximum of £14 a week for the new season and in addition to increase wages of the combination side..
Season 1951-52 will of course be remembered for the cup run that took Blues to the fifth round of the F.A. Cup and at half time of that match it looked as though they could have gone further, but perhaps it should more be remembered as a season of a tremendous home record. All the five cup games were played at the Stadium, resulting in four wins and one defeat scoring 17 goals conceding 4, while in the League 23 games saw only one defeat, winning sixteen and drawing six others. All in all it was a formidable record, including a 7-1 win, a 5-0, 4-0 and two 5-1 victories. Their home record was only beaten by the top two sides Plymouth and Reading, yet away from home they only managed three wins out of their twenty three matches. In fact they only gained more points away from home than two clubs, Walsall who finished bottom and Gillingham who finished two places above bottom place. The reality was than ninth in the table was probably a fair conclusion, but if they could only have improved their away form they could have been serious promotion contenders. While it was good for the home fans to see the side at their best, it made no sense to have such contrasts in form. More importantly with the proposed move to Roots Hall on everybody’s minds it was clear that promotion was as important as a new ground, and one without the other would ultimately cause serious financial problems.
The leading appearances were: Lawler 51; Anderson and French 50 each; Loughran 48; Grant and McAlinden 47 each; Sibley 43; Sheard 37; Stubbs 36; Wakefield 33; Scannell 31. While the leading goalscorers were: Wakefield 21; Grant and Stubbs 18 each; French 11; Sibley 9.
F.A. CUP
Round 1 Southend United 6-1 Bournemouth
Bournemouth were captained for the day by former Blues winger Tommy Tippett but they tried to frustrate Southend by playing the off-side trap and were successful for twenty five minutes when Stubbs headed Blues in the lead and by the end the supporters were calling for a seventh goal
Round 2 Southend United 5-0 Oldham athletic
“Over 2,000 Oldham supporters will arrive for the first meeting of the two teams. Practically every factory in the area is organising an excursion to Southend. Many of these trips are being run by the firms own buses. They will leave Oldham at midnight on Friday and travel through the night. after the game most of them will commence the return journey immediately as many are due to start a night work shift on Sunday”.
Round 3 Southend United 3-0 Southampton
The victory was the outcome of a wonderful game , certainly one of the best seen in post war years at the Stadium, and when Sibley scored United’s first goal after 40 minutes the crowd went wild with delight and hats were flung into the air. The match also saw the return of former Southend hero Frank Dudley now playing for Southampton.
Round 4 Southend United 2-1 Bristol Rovers
The game was a fight to the finish and what a finish it was, with Jack French putting paid to Rovers hopes nine minutes from time. The Rovers fans were hushed. The strains of “Goodnight Irene” which was sung virtually non-stop since they took the lead two minutes after the interval, died away and were not heard again.
Round 5 Southend United 1-2 Sheffield United
The game was 26 minutes old when Loughran pushed the ball through to Wakefield who flicked it over his head and past the advancing goalkeeper. Blues had a lucky escape seven minutes later but Wakefield missed a glorious chance two minutes from the interval. The first fifteen minutes of the second half proved fatal as Sheffield took full advantage of a lack of concentration, faulty marking and lacksadasical football by the Blues defence.
THE RESERVES
Season 1951-52 can only be described as dismal as far as the Reserves are concerned. The Combination league season started with a home defeat and was followed up by a 0-6 defeat and that about summed up their season, which ended with nine wins, three draws and 18 defeats. Of the nine games won the highlight was the 4-1 win at QPR in September, four of the other wins were by a single goal the other four by a two goal margin. The low points were the 0-6 defeat at Fulham, 0-5 at Reading, 1-5 at Swansea and 2-5 at Millwall.
If they were looking for some consolation in the Combination Cup they were out of luck, three wins and eleven defeats left them finish eighth out of eight, highlight a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace the low point a 0-6 defeat at Tottenham. There was a time when the Reserves were considered as equal if not better entertainment than the first team, that time had well and truly past.
DoDTS
The PL League Boss⭐⭐
SEASON 1952-53
SELLING PLAYERS, SACK THE BOARD!
Southend United F.C. management has decided to make no alterations in the price of season tickets for the 1952-53 season although the Football The club also announced that they could be bought in instalments, the cost of west stand season tickets was £6 6s and ground £2 5s. Purchasers had to make an initial payment of 20% of the purchase price (£1.50 for west stand and 10s (50p) for the ground) and then weekly payments of not less than 5s (25p) or 2s 6d (12½p).
When football had resumed after the war, Southend United soon announced we are debt free and we are a buying club not a selling club. Gates were at their highest ever, and the football world marvelled at the quality of the Blues play and clubs were continually banging on the doors wanting our best players. This surely was the Boom time for Southend United, true players had been transferred but only when they wanted to go and the club would not stand in their way. During Season 1952-53 the proposed move to Roots Hall was going well, fund raising progressing well and the bulldozers starting work. All was going well until Jack French was transferred, not as a player swop, but for cash only. Before the dust had settled local lad Les Stubbs was transferred again for a cash only deal. The fans were incensed, perhaps this was the final straw, but they were not to be appeased, what the use of a new ground without a successful side was the cry. The fans stayed away the crowds dropped and insult was added to injury when they were dumped out of the Cup in the first round by non-League Bath City. The management rattled on about needing better gates to support a higher placed clubs but they had lost the goodwill of their supporters. Week after week names were brought forward for possible transfers, big well known names, but when they didn’t materialize the situation worsened. While a final placing of eighth position seemed a satisfactory conclusion to the season but had they by any chance managed to win promotion there were few players that would be suitable for the higher Division. It seemed that the policy had changed and the policy was now to sign older more experienced players and while that could bring short term success it did not bode well for the future. This policy could only work in conjunction with a youth policy to develop new young talent.
The following are a selection of letters sent to the Southend Standard:
Sir – Bristol Rovers, Notts. County and Notts. Forest enjoyed gates of 20,000 in the Third Division. During the early part of the 1946-47 season the United attracted 3,000 more to the Stadium than did Rovers to Eastville. Since then the Rovers management have retained all players of outstanding ability, now have a winning team that is at the top of the Division. Furthermore their supporters are filled with the utmost enthusiasm and their home attendances have improved considerably. Rectory Road, Rochford.
Sir – if the directors have any doubts that “Blues” supporters are far from happy, they should have heard the remarks of the crowd in the East stand during the game against Walsall. Regular Supporter.
Sir – Instead of running round in circles trying to find a forward to halt United rapid descent, I would suggest that the management concentrate on strengthening the defence. Carlton Drive, Leigh.
Sir –An average 8,000 gate is no more disgusting than has been the policy of the directors over the years since Division III was formed. Ald. Smith should be glad that it’s not as low as 5,000. “Dunwiththem”.
Sir – Headlines and promises won’t win promotion but good deals will, the directors should get cracking. When the United win more often they will win more support. “Ex-Supporter”
Sir –I would point out at the start of last season gates were in the region of 12,000. The drop in support is down to the French fiasco and then the sale of Stubbs. Mill Lane, Stambridge.
Sir – Northampton, Bournemouth, Coventry and now Bath. They are only four of the heart breaking spectacles endured by long-suffering Blues supporters. How do the “powers that be” reconcile these disastrous performances with the French affair and the transfer of the “local boy” who apparently was not suitable to play centre forward for the United but is good enough to play in Chelsea’s first team Sailsbury Avenue.
Sir - £10,000 is big money for any Third Division player and when one relates that the United have scooped three times that amount for an initial outlay of £30 for Davies, French and Stubbs is that not some business with a capital “B”?
Sir - The supporters humiliation springs not from the players showing at Bath but from the recent exploits of the Board of directors. Lynton Road, Thorpe Bay.
Sir – I cannot understand why Mr Warren pursues players that clearly do not want to play Third Division football, what a waste of time. We have had two instances of this with Leverton and now Quigley. Mayfield Avenue, Southend.
Leading Appearances and Goalscorers
Appearances: Sibley 47; Loughran 46; McAlinden 44; Grant 39; Scannell 38; Lawler 36; Burns 31;
Goalscorers: Grant 13; Sibley 10; O, Neil 7; Marsden and Thompson 6 each; Stubbs and Wakefield 5 each;
THE RESERVES
There was little joy for the reserves, in fact that is putting it mildly. They finished bottom of the Combination Division 2, bottom but one in the Combination Cup and the “A” team only managed seventh out of ten. Clearly the years of the Reserves providing as good if not better entertainment than the first team were over and this translated to attendances, whereas a few thousand could be counted on for virtually every Combination game but this was now hundreds not thousands. Poor performances were obviously one of the reasons but perhaps the fact that televisions were now becoming a lot more common in the every day home was another factor.
SELLING PLAYERS, SACK THE BOARD!
Southend United F.C. management has decided to make no alterations in the price of season tickets for the 1952-53 season although the Football The club also announced that they could be bought in instalments, the cost of west stand season tickets was £6 6s and ground £2 5s. Purchasers had to make an initial payment of 20% of the purchase price (£1.50 for west stand and 10s (50p) for the ground) and then weekly payments of not less than 5s (25p) or 2s 6d (12½p).
When football had resumed after the war, Southend United soon announced we are debt free and we are a buying club not a selling club. Gates were at their highest ever, and the football world marvelled at the quality of the Blues play and clubs were continually banging on the doors wanting our best players. This surely was the Boom time for Southend United, true players had been transferred but only when they wanted to go and the club would not stand in their way. During Season 1952-53 the proposed move to Roots Hall was going well, fund raising progressing well and the bulldozers starting work. All was going well until Jack French was transferred, not as a player swop, but for cash only. Before the dust had settled local lad Les Stubbs was transferred again for a cash only deal. The fans were incensed, perhaps this was the final straw, but they were not to be appeased, what the use of a new ground without a successful side was the cry. The fans stayed away the crowds dropped and insult was added to injury when they were dumped out of the Cup in the first round by non-League Bath City. The management rattled on about needing better gates to support a higher placed clubs but they had lost the goodwill of their supporters. Week after week names were brought forward for possible transfers, big well known names, but when they didn’t materialize the situation worsened. While a final placing of eighth position seemed a satisfactory conclusion to the season but had they by any chance managed to win promotion there were few players that would be suitable for the higher Division. It seemed that the policy had changed and the policy was now to sign older more experienced players and while that could bring short term success it did not bode well for the future. This policy could only work in conjunction with a youth policy to develop new young talent.
The following are a selection of letters sent to the Southend Standard:
Sir – Bristol Rovers, Notts. County and Notts. Forest enjoyed gates of 20,000 in the Third Division. During the early part of the 1946-47 season the United attracted 3,000 more to the Stadium than did Rovers to Eastville. Since then the Rovers management have retained all players of outstanding ability, now have a winning team that is at the top of the Division. Furthermore their supporters are filled with the utmost enthusiasm and their home attendances have improved considerably. Rectory Road, Rochford.
Sir – if the directors have any doubts that “Blues” supporters are far from happy, they should have heard the remarks of the crowd in the East stand during the game against Walsall. Regular Supporter.
Sir – Instead of running round in circles trying to find a forward to halt United rapid descent, I would suggest that the management concentrate on strengthening the defence. Carlton Drive, Leigh.
Sir –An average 8,000 gate is no more disgusting than has been the policy of the directors over the years since Division III was formed. Ald. Smith should be glad that it’s not as low as 5,000. “Dunwiththem”.
Sir – Headlines and promises won’t win promotion but good deals will, the directors should get cracking. When the United win more often they will win more support. “Ex-Supporter”
Sir –I would point out at the start of last season gates were in the region of 12,000. The drop in support is down to the French fiasco and then the sale of Stubbs. Mill Lane, Stambridge.
Sir – Northampton, Bournemouth, Coventry and now Bath. They are only four of the heart breaking spectacles endured by long-suffering Blues supporters. How do the “powers that be” reconcile these disastrous performances with the French affair and the transfer of the “local boy” who apparently was not suitable to play centre forward for the United but is good enough to play in Chelsea’s first team Sailsbury Avenue.
Sir - £10,000 is big money for any Third Division player and when one relates that the United have scooped three times that amount for an initial outlay of £30 for Davies, French and Stubbs is that not some business with a capital “B”?
Sir - The supporters humiliation springs not from the players showing at Bath but from the recent exploits of the Board of directors. Lynton Road, Thorpe Bay.
Sir – I cannot understand why Mr Warren pursues players that clearly do not want to play Third Division football, what a waste of time. We have had two instances of this with Leverton and now Quigley. Mayfield Avenue, Southend.
Leading Appearances and Goalscorers
Appearances: Sibley 47; Loughran 46; McAlinden 44; Grant 39; Scannell 38; Lawler 36; Burns 31;
Goalscorers: Grant 13; Sibley 10; O, Neil 7; Marsden and Thompson 6 each; Stubbs and Wakefield 5 each;
THE RESERVES
There was little joy for the reserves, in fact that is putting it mildly. They finished bottom of the Combination Division 2, bottom but one in the Combination Cup and the “A” team only managed seventh out of ten. Clearly the years of the Reserves providing as good if not better entertainment than the first team were over and this translated to attendances, whereas a few thousand could be counted on for virtually every Combination game but this was now hundreds not thousands. Poor performances were obviously one of the reasons but perhaps the fact that televisions were now becoming a lot more common in the every day home was another factor.
Southend Team 1951-52
Can name them for us DoDtS?
Can name them for us DoDtS?
McNasty
Member
Back row -- far right Sandy Anderson ?
tallboyblue
First XI ⭐
Back row 2nd right Jackie French 3rd right Frank Sheard 5th right Jimmy Lawler? Front row 1st right Joe Sibley ( we could do with a winger like that now) 4th right Cyril Grant?
DoDTS
The PL League Boss⭐⭐
Back Row:
? Jack French, Frank Sheard, Tommy Scannell, ? Sandy Anderson
Front Row:
Joe Sibley, Albert Wakefield, Jimmy McAlinden, Cyril Grant (possibly) Les Stubbs(possibly)
The Back row are defenders, presumably right-back, right-half, centre-half, goalkeeper, left-half, left-back. If so the right-back should be Joe Loughran but that doesn't look like him to me. The left half should be Jimmy Lawler but again doesn't look like him.
DoDtS
? Jack French, Frank Sheard, Tommy Scannell, ? Sandy Anderson
Front Row:
Joe Sibley, Albert Wakefield, Jimmy McAlinden, Cyril Grant (possibly) Les Stubbs(possibly)
The Back row are defenders, presumably right-back, right-half, centre-half, goalkeeper, left-half, left-back. If so the right-back should be Joe Loughran but that doesn't look like him to me. The left half should be Jimmy Lawler but again doesn't look like him.
DoDtS
DoDTS
The PL League Boss⭐⭐
SEASON 1953-54
GOODBYE TO McALINDEN
The transfers of Leslie Stubbs and Jack French had not been forgotten or forgiven. The full consequences of these transfers weren’t felt during season 1952-53 and a final placing of eighth place which rather flattered the Blues camouflaged the problems. However season 1953-54 saw poor results, poor performances and turmoil in the club. What’s the point of a new ground without a decent team to play there was the cry, promotion to the Second Division was paramount to the success of Roots Hall, but with appalling performances gates plummeted and were the lowest in the Division Any dreams of promotion were replaced with the reality that the club may well have to face re-election as Christmas came and the club struggled to stay one place above the drop zone.
The very need for the move to Roots Hall was in question, is the Stadium that bad? What’s the cost going to be? Will we be able to afford stands at Roots Hall? All these questions which had been taken for granted were now serious considerations. The directors made desperate attempts to sign quality players like Johnny Williamson from Manchester City and even tried to resign Frank Dudley but without success, and with all this going on the Supporters Club continued to raise funds to finance the move.
If Christmas was the crisis point, the performances in the new year improved and with this the turmoil started to reduce. The Cup victory at Finchley had been achieved by very robust tactics which outraged fans, not prepared for victory at any price. The one undeniable fact had been that club skipper Jimmy McAlinden was one of the best, if not the best schemer in the Division and his stability had been one of the mainstays of the club, however he was nearing the end of his playing days and he left before the end of the season to be player manager for Glentoran in Ireland. The biggest complaint for supporters had been the lack of a goalscorer, since Albert Wakefield had been injured at Leyton Orient he was not the same player on his return and although several players had been brought in to replace him none had been successful. However the signing of Roy Hollis just before McAlinden’s departure brought great hope for the coming season. So a mixed season all round for the Blues with a 16th place finish with supporters not knowing what to expect or what was the best route for the club in the coming season.
27th March 1954 Southend United 4-1 Queens Park Rangers.
It was impish little Irishman Jimmy McAlinden playing his last game for the club who got the ovation for all he has achieved in the last five years, but the man that won the match for the Blues was lanky Roy Hollis. Fast, direct and packing a vicious shot in both feet, he was too much to handle for the Rangers centre-half who resorted to robust tactics which should not have been allowed by the referee and meant that he got “the bird” from the crowd.
On Wednesday 31st march 1954 Jimmy McAlinden, Southend’s former skipper and Irish International left the town on route for Ireland and a player-manager position with Glenavon. He left with the best wishes of the manger, the players and supporters. On Saturday he received a great send-off from the crowd and as he left the pitch he was met by manager Harry Warren to call for three very “hearty” cheers for Mac.
Leading Appearances: Anderson and Pavitt 47 each; Threadgold 44; Bainbridge 38; Sibley 37; McAlinden 36; Leading Goalscorers: Bainbridge 12; Hollis and Sibley 10 each; Dicker 8; Grant and McDonald 6 each.
F.A. CUP
Round 1 Finchley 1-3 Southend United.
The old problem of missed chances was to the fore but it was game dominated by the Southend defence and Finchley played into their hands by persistently playing too close. United were ruthless in their tackling and feelings ran a high, the Finchley crowd showed their disapproval in no uncertain manner at some of the tackles. Team: Threadgold; Young and Anderson; Pavitt, Stirling and Bridge; Sibley, McAlinden, Dicker, O’Neil and Lowder.
Sir – Why did the Blues resort to unfair tactics especially in the second half. I felt really ashamed at some things that took place. To say it was “dirty” is to put it mildly. Even some of the Blues crowd were rather disgusted, play the game United and give us real football like we used to get in years gone by. Blues Supporter, Kensington S.W.7
Round 2 Southend United 1-2 Chesterfield.
Shed no tears for Southend United, knocked out of the cup by Chesterfield, but it was a fate well deserved by the Blues who were unenterprising, unimaginative and leaden footed. But extend your sympathy to those loyal fans who paid as much as 5/- (25p) to watch a match that no more resembled football than flat beer does champagne. Three goals in as many minutes in the opening stages of the second half prevented this game going down in the history books as the worst ever, the football was dull, drab and dreary. Team: Threadgold; Young and Anderson; Lawler, Pavitt and Bridge; Lockhart, McAlinden, Grant Dicker and Bainbridge.
After departing from the F.A. Cup it was clear that the need for a goal scoring forward would have made all the difference. If Leslie Stubbs had still been in the side the cup-tie would have been a different story, the presence of Reg Davies or Jack French would also have made a vast difference. However it would appear that the Board of directors are not anxious to spend the large amount of money required to save the supporters the agony of watching this season’s appalling displays.
THE RESERVES
It’s not altogether logical that if the first team are doing well the Reserves will do badly and vice versa but it is sometimes the case and in season 1953-54 it certainly was. When the first team started so badly the Reserves were a breath of fresh air with comments such as games being real classics which brought hundreds of fans to their feet. The Combination Cup went well finishing third in the eight club competition behind Tottenham and Chelsea but in front of Arsenal and four others. Inevitably the call came up to play the Reserves in the first team and when they did Reserve performances suffered. In the Combination League the Reserves reached their peak around Christmas (the same time the first team were at their lowest) at were at fourth place in the 16 club competition. As the competition progressed the performances deteriorated and comments such as “there was not an exciting incident during the whole game” became commonplace and they struggled to stay clear of the bottom of the table.
GOODBYE TO McALINDEN
The transfers of Leslie Stubbs and Jack French had not been forgotten or forgiven. The full consequences of these transfers weren’t felt during season 1952-53 and a final placing of eighth place which rather flattered the Blues camouflaged the problems. However season 1953-54 saw poor results, poor performances and turmoil in the club. What’s the point of a new ground without a decent team to play there was the cry, promotion to the Second Division was paramount to the success of Roots Hall, but with appalling performances gates plummeted and were the lowest in the Division Any dreams of promotion were replaced with the reality that the club may well have to face re-election as Christmas came and the club struggled to stay one place above the drop zone.
The very need for the move to Roots Hall was in question, is the Stadium that bad? What’s the cost going to be? Will we be able to afford stands at Roots Hall? All these questions which had been taken for granted were now serious considerations. The directors made desperate attempts to sign quality players like Johnny Williamson from Manchester City and even tried to resign Frank Dudley but without success, and with all this going on the Supporters Club continued to raise funds to finance the move.
If Christmas was the crisis point, the performances in the new year improved and with this the turmoil started to reduce. The Cup victory at Finchley had been achieved by very robust tactics which outraged fans, not prepared for victory at any price. The one undeniable fact had been that club skipper Jimmy McAlinden was one of the best, if not the best schemer in the Division and his stability had been one of the mainstays of the club, however he was nearing the end of his playing days and he left before the end of the season to be player manager for Glentoran in Ireland. The biggest complaint for supporters had been the lack of a goalscorer, since Albert Wakefield had been injured at Leyton Orient he was not the same player on his return and although several players had been brought in to replace him none had been successful. However the signing of Roy Hollis just before McAlinden’s departure brought great hope for the coming season. So a mixed season all round for the Blues with a 16th place finish with supporters not knowing what to expect or what was the best route for the club in the coming season.
27th March 1954 Southend United 4-1 Queens Park Rangers.
It was impish little Irishman Jimmy McAlinden playing his last game for the club who got the ovation for all he has achieved in the last five years, but the man that won the match for the Blues was lanky Roy Hollis. Fast, direct and packing a vicious shot in both feet, he was too much to handle for the Rangers centre-half who resorted to robust tactics which should not have been allowed by the referee and meant that he got “the bird” from the crowd.
On Wednesday 31st march 1954 Jimmy McAlinden, Southend’s former skipper and Irish International left the town on route for Ireland and a player-manager position with Glenavon. He left with the best wishes of the manger, the players and supporters. On Saturday he received a great send-off from the crowd and as he left the pitch he was met by manager Harry Warren to call for three very “hearty” cheers for Mac.
Leading Appearances: Anderson and Pavitt 47 each; Threadgold 44; Bainbridge 38; Sibley 37; McAlinden 36; Leading Goalscorers: Bainbridge 12; Hollis and Sibley 10 each; Dicker 8; Grant and McDonald 6 each.
F.A. CUP
Round 1 Finchley 1-3 Southend United.
The old problem of missed chances was to the fore but it was game dominated by the Southend defence and Finchley played into their hands by persistently playing too close. United were ruthless in their tackling and feelings ran a high, the Finchley crowd showed their disapproval in no uncertain manner at some of the tackles. Team: Threadgold; Young and Anderson; Pavitt, Stirling and Bridge; Sibley, McAlinden, Dicker, O’Neil and Lowder.
Sir – Why did the Blues resort to unfair tactics especially in the second half. I felt really ashamed at some things that took place. To say it was “dirty” is to put it mildly. Even some of the Blues crowd were rather disgusted, play the game United and give us real football like we used to get in years gone by. Blues Supporter, Kensington S.W.7
Round 2 Southend United 1-2 Chesterfield.
Shed no tears for Southend United, knocked out of the cup by Chesterfield, but it was a fate well deserved by the Blues who were unenterprising, unimaginative and leaden footed. But extend your sympathy to those loyal fans who paid as much as 5/- (25p) to watch a match that no more resembled football than flat beer does champagne. Three goals in as many minutes in the opening stages of the second half prevented this game going down in the history books as the worst ever, the football was dull, drab and dreary. Team: Threadgold; Young and Anderson; Lawler, Pavitt and Bridge; Lockhart, McAlinden, Grant Dicker and Bainbridge.
After departing from the F.A. Cup it was clear that the need for a goal scoring forward would have made all the difference. If Leslie Stubbs had still been in the side the cup-tie would have been a different story, the presence of Reg Davies or Jack French would also have made a vast difference. However it would appear that the Board of directors are not anxious to spend the large amount of money required to save the supporters the agony of watching this season’s appalling displays.
THE RESERVES
It’s not altogether logical that if the first team are doing well the Reserves will do badly and vice versa but it is sometimes the case and in season 1953-54 it certainly was. When the first team started so badly the Reserves were a breath of fresh air with comments such as games being real classics which brought hundreds of fans to their feet. The Combination Cup went well finishing third in the eight club competition behind Tottenham and Chelsea but in front of Arsenal and four others. Inevitably the call came up to play the Reserves in the first team and when they did Reserve performances suffered. In the Combination League the Reserves reached their peak around Christmas (the same time the first team were at their lowest) at were at fourth place in the 16 club competition. As the competition progressed the performances deteriorated and comments such as “there was not an exciting incident during the whole game” became commonplace and they struggled to stay clear of the bottom of the table.
DoDTS
The PL League Boss⭐⭐
SEASON 1954-55
GOODBYE TO THE STADIUM
There were two issues facing the club and it’s supporters in Season 1954-55 the playing squad and the Roots Hall project. As the new ground became closer to becoming a reality certain sections started to get very nervous about the logistics of the move. Is it necessary? Why not stay at the Stadium? How much is it going to cost? And most importantly should the club be spending the money on strengthening the team rather than a new ground? Rumours and panic was widespread. The best ground in the country will stay empty if the team loses week after week was the rallying call and the rumours had suggested that the ground might be built without adequate cover for spectators. Thankfully these were minority views and majority remained fully focused as the ground started to take shape but they were not helped by poor playing results after Christmas.
Prior to the first round of the cup the Blues had barely been out of the top ten although promotion was never in the question. The league performances were overshadowed by the Cup run which had three stunning performances culminating in the Everton match, all three of which gave great credit to the club, the team and the band. However after the exit at Goodison the performances took a bad dive gaining just one point from nine games which sent the Roots Hall panic-camp wild. Worries of re-election were dispelled with two excellent wins over Easter and indeed only two defeats in the last ten matches gave the Blues a rather flattering tenth place finish.
So with the stands being erected and a satisfactory if not inspiring season finishing calm was restored.
THE ROOTS HALL PROJECT
Southend United supporters would be well advised to overhaul their umbrellas as United Chairman Alderman Smith in a special statement declared “Southend United will move to Roots Hall whether the stands are up or not even if we have to take our own umbrellas”.
The committee are now faced with the task of raising this money to build the required stand accommodation, dressing rooms and other administrative needs. The next task is to erect a wall enclosing the ground and prevent trespassing and cut down pilfering. United would like the assistance of volunteers for this purpose preferably those with brick-laying experience. Working at Roots Hall are Blues players Jimmy Stirling, Leslie Dicker and Jackie Bridge.
Sir – How much longer can the directorate remain a parasite living on a very able Supporters Club a grand band of supporters and season ticket holders. A loss of over £5,000 would have been sustained in season 1952-53 had it not been for the transfer of French and Stubbs. The 1953-54 gate receipts are said to be considerably lower than the previous year and the club appears to be drifting into liquidation. Regardless of these facts the chairman says we will move to Roots Hall whether the stands are built or not, expecting fans to give up the comforts of one of the best grounds in the country to go to a derelict open piece of land not centrally situated not having amenities requisite to a football League Club. Burges Road, Thorpe Bay.
July 1954 A statement was issued that there will be covered accommodation at Roots Hall for 8,600 fans. There will be 2,100 stand seats, standing accommodation in the North Stand for 2,500 and another 2,500 in the West stand and in front of the seating covered standing for another 1,500. Uncovered accommodation will be for 4,000 with a further 8,500 on the South banking. Eventually it is hoped that the ground will accommodate over 30,000 people. During the past few weeks some of the players have been helping at Roots Hall, keeping the cement mixer working at full pressure etc and their help is greatly appreciated. Southend United Supporters’ Club is wasting no time in getting down to work on the new ground, a start is being made to clear the ground of stones and broken glass and volunteers will be warmly welcomed between 6.30 and 8.30 and don’t forget to bring a sack or bucket.
F.A. CUP
Round 1 Bristol City 1-2 Southend United
Saturday night was victory night in Southend after their success against table topping Bristol City, as the news of United’s victory flashed around the town, there were excited outbursts of cheering in the High Street. At the Stadium the crowds clapped and cheered as the final result came through while outside the Standard Office a large crowd congregated where they heard minute by minute reports as they came in. When the players arrived home on Saturday night there was a band of supporters complete with rattles and Club colours to welcome the lads home.
Round 2 Bradford P.A. 2-3 Southend United.
After due thought Bradford have given sanction for the United Supporters’ Band to make the journey for the cup-tie and a large number of supporters also made the journey, some by train, others by road, starting in the early hours of Saturday morning. Southend beat Bradford in a game which was certainly their hardest since the war, if not their hardest of all time. The conditions were atrocious, thick gluey mud made the playing of good football an impossibility.
F.A.Cup Round 3 Everton 3-1 Southend United.
Southend United’d run in the F.A. Cup is over, but they went out in a blaze of glory as they battled for 78 of the 90 minutes with only ten men. Blues skill was ona par with their hosts and their never say die attitude gained the applause of the largest crowd of the day 53, 043. Supporters travelling by air had a tough time, a fault developed in the planes radio delaying take off and some supporters arrived at the ground literally seconds before kick-off. United supporters wearing their red and white colours paraded Liverpool ringing bells, holding up the traffic and generally letting people know that they came from Southend. As was expected, our Band achieved another success and a letter received from the Everton F.C. Secretary stated “To the Southend United Supporter’s Club band at our cup-tie last Saturday, my directors wish to show their appreciation of the very excellent standard shown and they have forwarded a cheque for 20 guineas (£21) as a donation towards the funds of your club
Leading Appearances: Hollis 49; S. Anderson 48; Baron 47; Threadgold 43; Howe 41; Pavitt 37; Sibley 35;
Leading Goalscorers; Hollis 32; Baron 18; Bainbridge 10; Burns 8;
THE RESERVES
A complaint by many clubs that there are too many fixtureless Saturdays during the season has resulted in a new scheme for the Combination. The two sections will be scrapped and their will only be one division. The fixtures will be arranged to ensure there will be a Combination game on every Saturday where the League side are away. This may mean that the Blues will play some teams at home but not away and the fixtures will be drawn up with an eye to the travelling difficulties and expenditure.
The purpose of the reserve side was always to provide entertainment and bring on players, success was of little importance but in the 1920s when Southend achieved the coup of gaining admission to the closed shop of the London Combination the 16 games against the big four London clubs had to a certain extent satisfied the need of both. However times had changed most people now had access to a radio, and many to a television and the lure of the reserves with not such attractive opposition was not the same. The change in the Combination was desperately trying to provide a weekly Saturday home game but in so doing devalued the competition. This was perhaps the start of the decline of reserve football.
GOODBYE TO THE STADIUM
There were two issues facing the club and it’s supporters in Season 1954-55 the playing squad and the Roots Hall project. As the new ground became closer to becoming a reality certain sections started to get very nervous about the logistics of the move. Is it necessary? Why not stay at the Stadium? How much is it going to cost? And most importantly should the club be spending the money on strengthening the team rather than a new ground? Rumours and panic was widespread. The best ground in the country will stay empty if the team loses week after week was the rallying call and the rumours had suggested that the ground might be built without adequate cover for spectators. Thankfully these were minority views and majority remained fully focused as the ground started to take shape but they were not helped by poor playing results after Christmas.
Prior to the first round of the cup the Blues had barely been out of the top ten although promotion was never in the question. The league performances were overshadowed by the Cup run which had three stunning performances culminating in the Everton match, all three of which gave great credit to the club, the team and the band. However after the exit at Goodison the performances took a bad dive gaining just one point from nine games which sent the Roots Hall panic-camp wild. Worries of re-election were dispelled with two excellent wins over Easter and indeed only two defeats in the last ten matches gave the Blues a rather flattering tenth place finish.
So with the stands being erected and a satisfactory if not inspiring season finishing calm was restored.
THE ROOTS HALL PROJECT
Southend United supporters would be well advised to overhaul their umbrellas as United Chairman Alderman Smith in a special statement declared “Southend United will move to Roots Hall whether the stands are up or not even if we have to take our own umbrellas”.
The committee are now faced with the task of raising this money to build the required stand accommodation, dressing rooms and other administrative needs. The next task is to erect a wall enclosing the ground and prevent trespassing and cut down pilfering. United would like the assistance of volunteers for this purpose preferably those with brick-laying experience. Working at Roots Hall are Blues players Jimmy Stirling, Leslie Dicker and Jackie Bridge.
Sir – How much longer can the directorate remain a parasite living on a very able Supporters Club a grand band of supporters and season ticket holders. A loss of over £5,000 would have been sustained in season 1952-53 had it not been for the transfer of French and Stubbs. The 1953-54 gate receipts are said to be considerably lower than the previous year and the club appears to be drifting into liquidation. Regardless of these facts the chairman says we will move to Roots Hall whether the stands are built or not, expecting fans to give up the comforts of one of the best grounds in the country to go to a derelict open piece of land not centrally situated not having amenities requisite to a football League Club. Burges Road, Thorpe Bay.
July 1954 A statement was issued that there will be covered accommodation at Roots Hall for 8,600 fans. There will be 2,100 stand seats, standing accommodation in the North Stand for 2,500 and another 2,500 in the West stand and in front of the seating covered standing for another 1,500. Uncovered accommodation will be for 4,000 with a further 8,500 on the South banking. Eventually it is hoped that the ground will accommodate over 30,000 people. During the past few weeks some of the players have been helping at Roots Hall, keeping the cement mixer working at full pressure etc and their help is greatly appreciated. Southend United Supporters’ Club is wasting no time in getting down to work on the new ground, a start is being made to clear the ground of stones and broken glass and volunteers will be warmly welcomed between 6.30 and 8.30 and don’t forget to bring a sack or bucket.
F.A. CUP
Round 1 Bristol City 1-2 Southend United
Saturday night was victory night in Southend after their success against table topping Bristol City, as the news of United’s victory flashed around the town, there were excited outbursts of cheering in the High Street. At the Stadium the crowds clapped and cheered as the final result came through while outside the Standard Office a large crowd congregated where they heard minute by minute reports as they came in. When the players arrived home on Saturday night there was a band of supporters complete with rattles and Club colours to welcome the lads home.
Round 2 Bradford P.A. 2-3 Southend United.
After due thought Bradford have given sanction for the United Supporters’ Band to make the journey for the cup-tie and a large number of supporters also made the journey, some by train, others by road, starting in the early hours of Saturday morning. Southend beat Bradford in a game which was certainly their hardest since the war, if not their hardest of all time. The conditions were atrocious, thick gluey mud made the playing of good football an impossibility.
F.A.Cup Round 3 Everton 3-1 Southend United.
Southend United’d run in the F.A. Cup is over, but they went out in a blaze of glory as they battled for 78 of the 90 minutes with only ten men. Blues skill was ona par with their hosts and their never say die attitude gained the applause of the largest crowd of the day 53, 043. Supporters travelling by air had a tough time, a fault developed in the planes radio delaying take off and some supporters arrived at the ground literally seconds before kick-off. United supporters wearing their red and white colours paraded Liverpool ringing bells, holding up the traffic and generally letting people know that they came from Southend. As was expected, our Band achieved another success and a letter received from the Everton F.C. Secretary stated “To the Southend United Supporter’s Club band at our cup-tie last Saturday, my directors wish to show their appreciation of the very excellent standard shown and they have forwarded a cheque for 20 guineas (£21) as a donation towards the funds of your club
Leading Appearances: Hollis 49; S. Anderson 48; Baron 47; Threadgold 43; Howe 41; Pavitt 37; Sibley 35;
Leading Goalscorers; Hollis 32; Baron 18; Bainbridge 10; Burns 8;
THE RESERVES
A complaint by many clubs that there are too many fixtureless Saturdays during the season has resulted in a new scheme for the Combination. The two sections will be scrapped and their will only be one division. The fixtures will be arranged to ensure there will be a Combination game on every Saturday where the League side are away. This may mean that the Blues will play some teams at home but not away and the fixtures will be drawn up with an eye to the travelling difficulties and expenditure.
The purpose of the reserve side was always to provide entertainment and bring on players, success was of little importance but in the 1920s when Southend achieved the coup of gaining admission to the closed shop of the London Combination the 16 games against the big four London clubs had to a certain extent satisfied the need of both. However times had changed most people now had access to a radio, and many to a television and the lure of the reserves with not such attractive opposition was not the same. The change in the Combination was desperately trying to provide a weekly Saturday home game but in so doing devalued the competition. This was perhaps the start of the decline of reserve football.
DoDTS
The PL League Boss⭐⭐
THE MOVE TO ROOTS HALL 1955
The Chairman appealed for £6,000 to complete Roots Hall, so far the Supporters’ Club has raised something like £34,000 and without this sum the new ground would still be a board room dream. Other offers of financial assistance have also been received, various amateur leagues in the Borough will be raising sums in the region of £25 Meanwhile good progress continues to be made at Roots Hall. The main stand is a fine sight and a great deal of work is being devoted to the pitch.
Because the pitch at Roots Hall requires careful “nursing” Southend United have resumed their training at the Stadium where full facilities have been placed at their disposal by the Stadium management. Originally the Blues intended to do most of their training at Priory Park but there were no dressing room facilities. When the players do turn out for the opening League game they will be without the benefit of a public trial match. One was due to be held on August13th but this has now been cancelled.
THE BIG DAY APPROACHES
Saturday the 20th August 1955 is the day for all supporters of Southend United, the Supporters’ Club and the Board of Directors that the dream of the new ground at Roots Hall will become accomplished. Every effort is being made to make this a day to remember. The gates will open at 12.30 p.m. the band of the United Supporters Club, the only one of its kind in the country will form up at Victoria Circus and with colours flying will march to the new ground. At 2.00 p.m. they will open a programme of music until 2.30 p.m. when the Band Secretary takes over to conduct community singing. At 2.30 p.m. the opening ceremony will take place when the President and Vice President of the Football League and Sir Stanley Rous Secretary of the Football Association will cut the tape. After the opening ceremony Mr Teddy Grant President of Southend United will present a cheque for £1,000 to the Roots Hall Trust fund. The Archdeacon of Prittlewell will then conduct a short service of dedication. The two teams of Southend United and Norwich City will then be presented to the officials and the kick off will be at 3.15 p.m.
Seven veterans who all played for Southend before the First World War were invited to attend, all of whom were natives of the Borough. They were Alf Haggar (goalkeeper), George Harrod (inside-right), Jimmy Axcell (left-half), Arthur Layzell (back), “Gonger” Frost (inside-right) Dick Young (left-half) and Prince Blott (left-half).
Southend Co-ordinated Transport Committee have organised extensive public transport services to serve the new ground. All the existing services serving the new ground will be duplicated to cater for the crowds. In addition Roots Hall specials will leave the White Horse, Southchurch 45 and 30 minutes before the kick off. These will travel via North Avenue, Sutton Road, East Street, West Street and terminating in Tudor Road. An express service will also be running from Leigh (Rectory Grove) leaving 30 minutes before the kick-off and terminating at Shakespeare Drive. After the game these special buses will depart from their respective terminating points. The Police will control the car parking arrangements and strict measures will be taken against motorists parking in surrounding streets. The A.A. will be signing the various approach routes to the ground for motorists.
SUMMARY
The building of Roots Hall had been a massive undertaking and not without problems. The financial burden which seemed the first huge obstacle had been overcome thanks to the Supporters Club and their dedicated members. The logistics and timescales seemed all to point to a long drawn out building period and the very idea of a Football only Stadium had caused boardroom resignations. Yet as time went by the focussed approach of the Board took over and in a short period the ground had been erected. The driving force for the new arena had always been to get the spectators close to the field of play, yet even at the last hurdle there was backtracking suggesting the facilities at the Stadium weren’t that bad but by this time there was no turning back. For most clubs the post-war “boom” years had ended, and Millwall claimed that Southend were the “bravest club in the country” for attempting such a bold move to a new ground. In reality the club saw the move to a new ground as paramount to the clubs future success (not dissimilar to the feelings now to a move to Fossetts Farm). They had achieved the aim, the new ground was built and Third Division football would commence there from Season 1955-56.
It was a big step forward, a huge opportunity to move up to a higher level, but it was dependent on two factors, improved gates and promotion to a higher Division, and it was important that these two factors happened quickly. The sceptics had been quick to point out that you can build the best ground in the country but with a losing team the terraces will remain empty. The club had made a couple of useful signings to boost the team but how that would work out remained to be seen, as would the spectators reaction to their new Stadium.
With promotion to the Second Division in the early seasons at Roots Hall who knows what the club could have achieved, but as we now know it didn’t happen and culminated with relegation to the Fourth Division in 1966. The situation is much the same now with the proposed move to Fossetts Farm, promotion to the Championship being claimed as essential.
Promotion didn’t come in the fifties but what would have happened if the club hadn’t moved to Roots Hall? They could have carried on at the Stadium for another 30 years, but what about the fans. Those that supported through the late sixties and beyond with the atmosphere, the noise and the excitement of the North Bank would have been robbed of those magical times, they would have been stuck out in the open miles from the pitch, many would probably have become disenchanted and gone elsewhere. When the Stadium closed in the mid eighties what would have become of the club, probably at a time of one their lowest ebbs and no ground to play on. Would they even have survived? Perhaps promotion wasn’t as essential then as the survival of the club and as we all know history repeats itself.
That’s me finished with the 35 year jaunt through the History of the club, those that have read it all I applaud your stamina. I hope the stories of Billy Goodwin, Ted Birnie, Frank Dudley, Jimmy McAlinden and Albert Wakefield etc. not forgotting all our forebears that stood on the terraces, have shown what a great tradition and culture Southend United have.
DoDtS
The Chairman appealed for £6,000 to complete Roots Hall, so far the Supporters’ Club has raised something like £34,000 and without this sum the new ground would still be a board room dream. Other offers of financial assistance have also been received, various amateur leagues in the Borough will be raising sums in the region of £25 Meanwhile good progress continues to be made at Roots Hall. The main stand is a fine sight and a great deal of work is being devoted to the pitch.
Because the pitch at Roots Hall requires careful “nursing” Southend United have resumed their training at the Stadium where full facilities have been placed at their disposal by the Stadium management. Originally the Blues intended to do most of their training at Priory Park but there were no dressing room facilities. When the players do turn out for the opening League game they will be without the benefit of a public trial match. One was due to be held on August13th but this has now been cancelled.
THE BIG DAY APPROACHES
Saturday the 20th August 1955 is the day for all supporters of Southend United, the Supporters’ Club and the Board of Directors that the dream of the new ground at Roots Hall will become accomplished. Every effort is being made to make this a day to remember. The gates will open at 12.30 p.m. the band of the United Supporters Club, the only one of its kind in the country will form up at Victoria Circus and with colours flying will march to the new ground. At 2.00 p.m. they will open a programme of music until 2.30 p.m. when the Band Secretary takes over to conduct community singing. At 2.30 p.m. the opening ceremony will take place when the President and Vice President of the Football League and Sir Stanley Rous Secretary of the Football Association will cut the tape. After the opening ceremony Mr Teddy Grant President of Southend United will present a cheque for £1,000 to the Roots Hall Trust fund. The Archdeacon of Prittlewell will then conduct a short service of dedication. The two teams of Southend United and Norwich City will then be presented to the officials and the kick off will be at 3.15 p.m.
Seven veterans who all played for Southend before the First World War were invited to attend, all of whom were natives of the Borough. They were Alf Haggar (goalkeeper), George Harrod (inside-right), Jimmy Axcell (left-half), Arthur Layzell (back), “Gonger” Frost (inside-right) Dick Young (left-half) and Prince Blott (left-half).
Southend Co-ordinated Transport Committee have organised extensive public transport services to serve the new ground. All the existing services serving the new ground will be duplicated to cater for the crowds. In addition Roots Hall specials will leave the White Horse, Southchurch 45 and 30 minutes before the kick off. These will travel via North Avenue, Sutton Road, East Street, West Street and terminating in Tudor Road. An express service will also be running from Leigh (Rectory Grove) leaving 30 minutes before the kick-off and terminating at Shakespeare Drive. After the game these special buses will depart from their respective terminating points. The Police will control the car parking arrangements and strict measures will be taken against motorists parking in surrounding streets. The A.A. will be signing the various approach routes to the ground for motorists.
SUMMARY
The building of Roots Hall had been a massive undertaking and not without problems. The financial burden which seemed the first huge obstacle had been overcome thanks to the Supporters Club and their dedicated members. The logistics and timescales seemed all to point to a long drawn out building period and the very idea of a Football only Stadium had caused boardroom resignations. Yet as time went by the focussed approach of the Board took over and in a short period the ground had been erected. The driving force for the new arena had always been to get the spectators close to the field of play, yet even at the last hurdle there was backtracking suggesting the facilities at the Stadium weren’t that bad but by this time there was no turning back. For most clubs the post-war “boom” years had ended, and Millwall claimed that Southend were the “bravest club in the country” for attempting such a bold move to a new ground. In reality the club saw the move to a new ground as paramount to the clubs future success (not dissimilar to the feelings now to a move to Fossetts Farm). They had achieved the aim, the new ground was built and Third Division football would commence there from Season 1955-56.
It was a big step forward, a huge opportunity to move up to a higher level, but it was dependent on two factors, improved gates and promotion to a higher Division, and it was important that these two factors happened quickly. The sceptics had been quick to point out that you can build the best ground in the country but with a losing team the terraces will remain empty. The club had made a couple of useful signings to boost the team but how that would work out remained to be seen, as would the spectators reaction to their new Stadium.
With promotion to the Second Division in the early seasons at Roots Hall who knows what the club could have achieved, but as we now know it didn’t happen and culminated with relegation to the Fourth Division in 1966. The situation is much the same now with the proposed move to Fossetts Farm, promotion to the Championship being claimed as essential.
Promotion didn’t come in the fifties but what would have happened if the club hadn’t moved to Roots Hall? They could have carried on at the Stadium for another 30 years, but what about the fans. Those that supported through the late sixties and beyond with the atmosphere, the noise and the excitement of the North Bank would have been robbed of those magical times, they would have been stuck out in the open miles from the pitch, many would probably have become disenchanted and gone elsewhere. When the Stadium closed in the mid eighties what would have become of the club, probably at a time of one their lowest ebbs and no ground to play on. Would they even have survived? Perhaps promotion wasn’t as essential then as the survival of the club and as we all know history repeats itself.
That’s me finished with the 35 year jaunt through the History of the club, those that have read it all I applaud your stamina. I hope the stories of Billy Goodwin, Ted Birnie, Frank Dudley, Jimmy McAlinden and Albert Wakefield etc. not forgotting all our forebears that stood on the terraces, have shown what a great tradition and culture Southend United have.
DoDtS
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