Memory Lane Strikers in the 1980s - a ranking

[Napster]

League goals only for context. 1979/80 to 1989/90. Ordered by strike rate. (Not sure if some players were midfielders rather than strikers - let me know if I've omitted anyone obvious)

1. David Crown (1987-90) 61 goals in 113 apps (54%)
2. Richard Cadette (1985-1987) 49 goals in 90 apps (54%)
3. Steve Phillips (1982-6) 66 goals in 158 apps (42%)
4. Derrick Parker (1979/80) 8 goal in 19 apps (42%)
5. Micky Engwell (1984-6) 3 goals in 9 apps (33%)
6. Derek Spence (1980-3) 32 goals in 103 apps (31%)
7. Danny Greaves (1981-4) 14 goals in 49 apps (29%)
8. Keith Mercer (1980-3) 35 goals in 131 apps (27%)
9. Ian Benjamin (1989-90) 4 goals in 15 apps (27%)
10. Martin Robinson (1987-1989) 14 in 56 apps (25%)
11. John Gymer (1983-87) 12 goals in 55 apps (22%)
12. Greig Shepherd (1983-5) 11 goals in 53 apps (21%)
13. Peter Daley (1989-90) 1 goal in 5 apps (20%)
14. Micky Tuohy (1979/80) 4 goals in 21 apps (19%)
15. Mario Walsh (1989-90) 2 goals in 11 apps (18%)
16. Lee Nogan (1987-88) 1 goal in 6 apps (17%)
17. Roy McDonough (1983-4 and 1985-90) 34 goals in 208 apps (16%)
18. Trevor Whymark (1983-5) 6 goals in 39 apps (15%)
19. Dean Neal (1985-88) 6 goals in 40 apps (15%)
20. Gary Bennett (1988-1990) 6 goals in 42 apps (14%)
21. Micky Welch (1984-5) 0 goals in 4 apps (0%)
22. Richard Young (1987-89) 0 goals in 9 apps (0%)

Reordered by number of goals

1. Steve Phillips (1982-6) 66 goals in 158 apps (42%)
2. David Crown (1987-90) 61 goals in 113 apps (54%)
3. Richard Cadette (1985-1987) 49 goals in 90 apps (54%)
4. Keith Mercer (1980-3) 35 goals in 131 apps (27%)
5. Roy McDonough (1983-4 and 1985-90) 34 goals in 208 apps (16%)
6. Derek Spence (1980-3) 32 goals in 103 apps (31%)
7. Danny Greaves (1981-4) 14 goals in 49 apps (29%)
8. Martin Robinson (1987-1989) 14 in 56 apps (25%)
9. John Gymer (1983-87) 12 goals in 55 apps (22%)
10. Greig Shepherd (1983-5) 11 goals in 53 apps (21%)
11. Derrick Parker (1979/80) 8 goal in 19 apps (42%)
12. Trevor Whymark (1983-5) 6 goals in 39 apps (15%)
13. Dean Neal (1985-88) 6 goals in 40 apps (15%)
14. Gary Bennett (1988-1990) 6 goals in 42 apps (14%)
15. Ian Benjamin (1989-90) 4 goals in 15 apps (27%)
16. Micky Tuohy (1979/80) 4 goals in 21 apps (19%)
17. Micky Engwell (1984-6) 3 goals in 9 apps (33%)
18. Mario Walsh (1989-90) 2 goals in 11 apps (18%)
19. Peter Daley (1989-90) 1 goal in 5 apps (20%)
20. Lee Nogan (1987-88) 1 goal in 6 apps (17%)
21. Micky Welch (1984-5) 0 goals in 4 apps (0%)
22. Richard Young (1987-89) 0 goals in 9 apps (0%)

Removing those who scored less than 10 league goals

1. Steve Phillips (1982-6) 66 goals in 158 apps (42%)
2. David Crown (1987-90) 61 goals in 113 apps (54%)
3. Richard Cadette (1985-1987) 49 goals in 90 apps (54%)
4. Keith Mercer (1980-3) 35 goals in 131 apps (27%)
5. Roy McDonough (1983-4 and 1985-90) 34 goals in 208 apps (16%)
6. Derek Spence (1980-3) 32 goals in 103 apps (31%)
7. Danny Greaves (1981-4) 14 goals in 49 apps (29%)
8. Martin Robinson (1987-1989) 14 in 56 apps (25%)
9. John Gymer (1983-87) 12 goals in 55 apps (22%)
10. Greig Shepherd (1983-5) 11 goals in 53 apps (21%)

And recalibrating for personal subjectivity:

My top five for the 1980s strikers:

1. Richard Cadette (1985-1987) 49 goals in 90 apps (54%)
2. David Crown (1987-90) 61 goals in 113 apps (54%)
3. Steve Phillips (1982-6) 66 goals in 158 apps (42%)
4. Roy McDonough (1983-4 and 1985-90) 34 goals in 208 apps (16%)
5. Martin Robinson (1987-1989) 14 in 56 apps (25%)

Agree or disagree? Any names I've missed? (Sure there's some!)

 

[Napster]

What's amazing is that in ten seasons, only six players scored more than 15 league goals.

 

[bigmolt]

Agree
For me Cadette was one of the top five strikers “I HAVE SEEN” play for Southend. (1961 - 1967 then 1987 to present day.)
Was an Ekco child and moved to Lowestoft in 1967 till I moved back as an adult in late 80’s!!!!!
So I do have a 20 year gap.

 

[BluBayou]

Given the quality of our team at the time, Steve Phillips achievement is breathtaking.

 

[Elmsleigh shrimper]

Given the quality of our team at the time, Steve Phillips achievement is breathtaking.

Yes that's very true. We were dire at the time and yet he still managed to score a decent number of goals. A real nuisance to us in his earlier days at Brentford and Northampton but he proved to be a great acquisition in a very dark period. Good to see him back at the hall this season especially when he made a special effort to come over to the west!

 

[Tribal Chief]

Agree
For me Cadette was one of the top five strikers “I HAVE SEEN” play for Southend. (1961 - 1967 then 1987 to present day.)
Was an Ekco child and moved to Lowestoft in 1967 till I moved back as an adult in late 80’s!!!!!
So I do have a 20 year gap.

Top 5 I have seen play would definitely include Cadette.

In fact it would be

Corr
Collymore
Eastwood
Cadette
Benjamin

 

[Snowy]

Sorry mis read this somewhat as was going to suggest......Arthur Scargill.

 

[Snowy]

Think I had the pleasure of seeing most of those in the top 20. Crown and Cadette stand out, truly instinctive goal scorers.

 

[rigsby]

League goals only for context. 1979/80 to 1989/90. Ordered by strike rate. (Not sure if some players were midfielders rather than strikers - let me know if I've omitted anyone obvious)

1. David Crown (1987-90) 61 goals in 113 apps (54%)
2. Richard Cadette (1985-1987) 49 goals in 90 apps (54%)
3. Steve Phillips (1982-6) 66 goals in 158 apps (42%)
4. Derrick Parker (1979/80) 8 goal in 19 apps (42%)
5. Micky Engwell (1984-6) 3 goals in 9 apps (33%)
6. Derek Spence (1980-3) 32 goals in 103 apps (31%)
7. Danny Greaves (1981-4) 14 goals in 49 apps (29%)
8. Keith Mercer (1980-3) 35 goals in 131 apps (27%)
9. Ian Benjamin (1989-90) 4 goals in 15 apps (27%)
10. Martin Robinson (1987-1989) 14 in 56 apps (25%)
11. John Gymer (1983-87) 12 goals in 55 apps (22%)
12. Greig Shepherd (1983-5) 11 goals in 53 apps (21%)
13. Peter Daley (1989-90) 1 goal in 5 apps (20%)
14. Micky Tuohy (1979/80) 4 goals in 21 apps (19%)
15. Mario Walsh (1989-90) 2 goals in 11 apps (18%)
16. Lee Nogan (1987-88) 1 goal in 6 apps (17%)
17. Roy McDonough (1983-4 and 1985-90) 34 goals in 208 apps (16%)
18. Trevor Whymark (1983-5) 6 goals in 39 apps (15%)
19. Dean Neal (1985-88) 6 goals in 40 apps (15%)
20. Gary Bennett (1988-1990) 6 goals in 42 apps (14%)
21. Micky Welch (1984-5) 0 goals in 4 apps (0%)
22. Richard Young (1987-89) 0 goals in 9 apps (0%)

Reordered by number of goals

1. Steve Phillips (1982-6) 66 goals in 158 apps (42%)
2. David Crown (1987-90) 61 goals in 113 apps (54%)
3. Richard Cadette (1985-1987) 49 goals in 90 apps (54%)
4. Keith Mercer (1980-3) 35 goals in 131 apps (27%)
5. Roy McDonough (1983-4 and 1985-90) 34 goals in 208 apps (16%)
6. Derek Spence (1980-3) 32 goals in 103 apps (31%)
7. Danny Greaves (1981-4) 14 goals in 49 apps (29%)
8. Martin Robinson (1987-1989) 14 in 56 apps (25%)
9. John Gymer (1983-87) 12 goals in 55 apps (22%)
10. Greig Shepherd (1983-5) 11 goals in 53 apps (21%)
11. Derrick Parker (1979/80) 8 goal in 19 apps (42%)
12. Trevor Whymark (1983-5) 6 goals in 39 apps (15%)
13. Dean Neal (1985-88) 6 goals in 40 apps (15%)
14. Gary Bennett (1988-1990) 6 goals in 42 apps (14%)
15. Ian Benjamin (1989-90) 4 goals in 15 apps (27%)
16. Micky Tuohy (1979/80) 4 goals in 21 apps (19%)
17. Micky Engwell (1984-6) 3 goals in 9 apps (33%)
18. Mario Walsh (1989-90) 2 goals in 11 apps (18%)
19. Peter Daley (1989-90) 1 goal in 5 apps (20%)
20. Lee Nogan (1987-88) 1 goal in 6 apps (17%)
21. Micky Welch (1984-5) 0 goals in 4 apps (0%)
22. Richard Young (1987-89) 0 goals in 9 apps (0%)

Removing those who scored less than 10 league goals

1. Steve Phillips (1982-6) 66 goals in 158 apps (42%)
2. David Crown (1987-90) 61 goals in 113 apps (54%)
3. Richard Cadette (1985-1987) 49 goals in 90 apps (54%)
4. Keith Mercer (1980-3) 35 goals in 131 apps (27%)
5. Roy McDonough (1983-4 and 1985-90) 34 goals in 208 apps (16%)
6. Derek Spence (1980-3) 32 goals in 103 apps (31%)
7. Danny Greaves (1981-4) 14 goals in 49 apps (29%)
8. Martin Robinson (1987-1989) 14 in 56 apps (25%)
9. John Gymer (1983-87) 12 goals in 55 apps (22%)
10. Greig Shepherd (1983-5) 11 goals in 53 apps (21%)

And recalibrating for personal subjectivity:

My top five for the 1980s strikers:

1. Richard Cadette (1985-1987) 49 goals in 90 apps (54%)
2. David Crown (1987-90) 61 goals in 113 apps (54%)
3. Steve Phillips (1982-6) 66 goals in 158 apps (42%)
4. Roy McDonough (1983-4 and 1985-90) 34 goals in 208 apps (16%)
5. Martin Robinson (1987-1989) 14 in 56 apps (25%)

Agree or disagree? Any names I've missed? (Sure there's some!)

Good choice for your personal top 3. Although I might pick Crown first.

He may have been before your time but Derek Spence should make anyones top 5 for 80's strikers.

 

[Stuart W]

Since 1967/68, my debut season, there are in my opinion six standout goal scorers who in no particular order, other than alphabetical are:-

Billy Best
Richard Cadette
Stan Collymore
David Crown
Freddy Eastwood
Steve Phillips

No-one else gets near.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Since 1967/68, my debut season, there are in my opinion six standout goal scorers who in no particular order, other than alphabetical are:-

Billy Best
Richard Cadette
Stan Collymore
David Crown
Freddy Eastwood
Steve Phillips

No-one else gets near.

I’ve only really seen half of your list but Lee Barnard and Brett Angell would be very close to everyone except Collymore, who’s in a class of his own.

 

[sammy666]

Spence and Mercer as a combo were so exciting to watch.

Derek Parker should have got hat-trick at Anfield

 

[Stuart W]

I’ve only really seen half of your list but Lee Barnard and Brett Angell would be very close to everyone except Collymore, who’s in a class of his own.

Yes, Angell would make a good 7th. Not sure about Barnard. Collymore was superb, but assume you didn’t see Best or Phillips who as goal scorers were probably both superior to Stan at that particular art.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Yes, Angell would make a good 7th. Not sure about Barnard. Collymore was superb, but assume you didn’t see Best or Phillips who as goal scorers were probably both superior to Stan at that particular art.

Yes, Best and Phillips were before my time and Stan was more of a great player who scored great goals than a great goalscorer.

Barnard was a solid one in two goalscorer throughout his first spell here, whilst playing at a higher level than Best, Phillips, Cadette and Crown scored most of their goals at. Then went onto enjoy further success at Southampton and we saw how the team fell apart after he was sold. At the least he needs to be near them.

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

Gary Bennett - didn't he have two spells with the club? From Chester. Nickname physcho?

Played a blinder in the 3-2 league cup win over Spurs at Roots Hall.

 

[Maidstone Shrimper]

Since 1967/68, my debut season, there are in my opinion six standout goal scorers who in no particular order, other than alphabetical are:-

Billy Best
Richard Cadette
Stan Collymore
David Crown
Freddy Eastwood
Steve Phillips

No-one else gets near.

Personally I would add Bill Garner to that list. I reckon he's more than near! But getting back to the 80's Derek Spence was great fun to watch and as has been said he and Mercer made a fantastic partnership.

 

[Tribal Chief]

Yes, Angell would make a good 7th. Not sure about Barnard. Collymore was superb, but assume you didn’t see Best or Phillips who as goal scorers were probably both superior to Stan at that particular art.

Best was before my time, but I did see Phillips. They were quality players who could have succeeded in the Championship/Div 2 (I'm assuming this about Best). Stan Collymore at his peak was playing in the Premier League and getting picked for England. I think it's fair to say he was a different class to any other Southend striker, other than Barry Corr.

 

[weststander]

Having seen pretty much all of those strikers i must say,
1. Cadette, scoring that amazing hattrick against Northampton in the FA Cup, and against Orient he got 4 on his home debut after just joining from them .
2. Crown, scored a worldie in the comeback win against Wigan as well as the goal that got us promotion against Peterborough.
3. Spence, scored regularly in the amazing 4th Division title winning team. Including a worldie against Spurs in a pre season friendly.

As well as these I feel an honourable mention must go to Peter Daley who scored his goal that went a long way to relegating Col Ewe out of the league.

 

[Stuart W]

Personally I would add Bill Garner to that list. I reckon he's more than near! But getting back to the 80's Derek Spence was great fun to watch and as has been said he and Mercer made a fantastic partnership.

You’re right. Bill Garner should certainly have been mentioned in dispatches. An oversight by me so I would add both Angell and Garner to make a top 8. But for those making a case for Barry Corr, sorry, no.