HUTTON
Guest
As a kid growing up I found myself supporting Arsenal. Watching them lift the Cup Winners Cup started this short love affair with a big gun. At this time I had never even heard of Southend United. Even tho my grandad supported them he never spoke of the mighty blues, having supported them since before the war.
Going through primary school everyone supported Arsenal, Man U, Chelsea, West Ham and Tottenham. You supported one of the premiershite team, it seemed the norm at the time. You never saw a teams shirt from outside the top league and with television coverage seem hell bent on making the top flight the only league in England.
Finishing primary school and moving on secondary school opened a new horizon of my football knowledge. With new friends I found that quite a few of them supported lower league teams. One team in particular Orient. The Orient fan became my best mate at school and to today is still one of my best mates.
I admit to starting to following Orient*, but never felt at home in East London (thank god). I felt like I did not belong there. Then one evening in 2003 I was talking to my Grandad about going to see Orient, and he storms out the room. Eventually he comes back in and hands me a ticket Southend United Vs Bury Saturday 30th August.
I had mixed emotions about this game. My grandad telling me never to mention Orient in the home end. I'd never experienced football rivarly properly , so didn't fully understand.
The day arrives and I walk into Roots Hall, the East Stand somewhere in the yellows. WOW!! I thought this staduim as 4 stands and a double tier one at that. I was young :p
I didn't rely take much interest the game but remember Constantine scoring right near the end and becoming my first Southend hero. Walking out at full time, something felt different. My Grandad with a huge smile on his face, loads of people pleased with the result. I felt at home. I thought this could be my second team (yes I still supported Arsenal at the time).
But only a day after this game my world was turned upside down. My Grandad became seriously ill and died about a week later. I didn't want to do anything that reminded me of him, and that meant never seeing Southend again.
I finished secondary school and went onto college in Southend. With new friends I met a Southend fan. I was asked to come to the Southend Vs Swindon LDV game. At first I thought no, I didn't want the memories come flooding back. But it was my nan who persauded me to attend. A 2-0 win and I thought maybe just maybe. I then attended the 2-2 Bristol Rovers LDV Final. Walking out I had the same feeling I had when walking out with my Grandad. I felt at home, but this time my thoughts were. Southend United are my team. I attend a few more games that season the LDV Final and the away game at Grimsby.
I haven't looked back since
Now walking down the street and seeing kids in wearing Southend shirts, kinda brings a tear to my eye. Knowing this is the future of my beloved Southend.
I will always be Southend and I am Southend till I die
UP THE BLUES
* I HATE ORIENT WITH A PASSION :flamer:
Going through primary school everyone supported Arsenal, Man U, Chelsea, West Ham and Tottenham. You supported one of the premiershite team, it seemed the norm at the time. You never saw a teams shirt from outside the top league and with television coverage seem hell bent on making the top flight the only league in England.
Finishing primary school and moving on secondary school opened a new horizon of my football knowledge. With new friends I found that quite a few of them supported lower league teams. One team in particular Orient. The Orient fan became my best mate at school and to today is still one of my best mates.
I admit to starting to following Orient*, but never felt at home in East London (thank god). I felt like I did not belong there. Then one evening in 2003 I was talking to my Grandad about going to see Orient, and he storms out the room. Eventually he comes back in and hands me a ticket Southend United Vs Bury Saturday 30th August.
I had mixed emotions about this game. My grandad telling me never to mention Orient in the home end. I'd never experienced football rivarly properly , so didn't fully understand.
The day arrives and I walk into Roots Hall, the East Stand somewhere in the yellows. WOW!! I thought this staduim as 4 stands and a double tier one at that. I was young :p
I didn't rely take much interest the game but remember Constantine scoring right near the end and becoming my first Southend hero. Walking out at full time, something felt different. My Grandad with a huge smile on his face, loads of people pleased with the result. I felt at home. I thought this could be my second team (yes I still supported Arsenal at the time).
But only a day after this game my world was turned upside down. My Grandad became seriously ill and died about a week later. I didn't want to do anything that reminded me of him, and that meant never seeing Southend again.
I finished secondary school and went onto college in Southend. With new friends I met a Southend fan. I was asked to come to the Southend Vs Swindon LDV game. At first I thought no, I didn't want the memories come flooding back. But it was my nan who persauded me to attend. A 2-0 win and I thought maybe just maybe. I then attended the 2-2 Bristol Rovers LDV Final. Walking out I had the same feeling I had when walking out with my Grandad. I felt at home, but this time my thoughts were. Southend United are my team. I attend a few more games that season the LDV Final and the away game at Grimsby.
I haven't looked back since
Now walking down the street and seeing kids in wearing Southend shirts, kinda brings a tear to my eye. Knowing this is the future of my beloved Southend.
I will always be Southend and I am Southend till I die
UP THE BLUES
* I HATE ORIENT WITH A PASSION :flamer: