I worked at a bank in Southend High Street from 1985 to 1993, and I remember vividly playing Wolves at home on a Friday night at some point in that time. It was the ONLY time we were made to board the windows and go home whether the tills balanced or not. We heard them arrive and go down towards the seafront and were told to leave!
In the seventies a lot of massive punch-ups happened outside the ground, a few to mention, Brighton at home easter 1974, Q.P.R. F.A. cup19 75, Charlton 1972, Cardiff F.A. cup 1976, Boreham Wood in 1973 when they took the north Bank, Chelsea in 1974 ditto in a testimonial. Sheff Weds in 1975, biggest mob at that time to hit the town, loads more in the eighties, Wolves in 87 sticks out. To mention them all i'd be on here all night. Let other fans recollect a few.
Don't quite recall it that way Tony, there were loads of them (Arsenal) supporters there, and we got involved in a scuffle with a few. John Welham then complained to a copper, and the majority of them were booted out. There were also a few post match altercations.
Portsmouth at home was another, a whole load of Pompey fans got out of the West Stand into the North Bank where they scattered most of the then Southend lads.
...On our travels, our two visits to Exeter in our double promotion season were particualarly unpleasant. Potatoes with razors blades flying into the loos. My lads wonder why I have an inbred hatred of the Grecians. That's why.
The Portsmouth game was between 80-82. I was standing with John and several others in the north bank (having bumped into him in the Spread pre match when it was packed with Pompey fans). Were you one of the others?. I remember a tall bearded guy called Barry ? was there as he had parked in Shakespeare Drive and was worried that his car would get damaged.
Wolves was my 3rd or 4th Southend game, I will never forget that!
Orient away last time we were in League Two when I was in the home end is the worst i've experienced first hand.
Why what happened?
It seems like a different world to me. I dont think if I were old enough that this stuff would have stopped me going but its hard to imagine now.
Do you think football is better or worse now? In terms of the whole day and experience rather than the match.
It seems like a different world to me. I dont think if I were old enough that this stuff would have stopped me going but its hard to imagine now.
Do you think football is better or worse now? In terms of the whole day and experience rather than the match.
It kicked off and I got thrown down the stairs of the stand before being kicked out, how i wasn't arrested i will never know!