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Is Ron Pountney one of the greatest 12 figures in SUFC history?


  • Total voters
    23
  • Poll closed .

Yorkshire Blue

Super Moderator⭐
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Oct 27, 2003
Messages
40,952
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There are many ways to measure greatness: appearances, medals, honours, popularity. Well Ron Pountney sits third in the all-time appearance list, was an integral part of the club's first major title (Division 4, 1980-81) and won the player of the year award a record three times.

Ronnie Pountney's decade at Roots Hall ended when I was still a Junior Shrimper trying to convince my father I was old enough to accompany him to the football on a Saturday afternoon, so I never got to see him play. What I did however get to see, was the high regard that those who did see him play held him in. This was never better illustrated than the group of fans (some of whom will be reading this now) who campaigned for and organised his testimonial, some 14 years after it had been cancelled by the evil Wet Sham because of fixture congestion. To me that says more about Ron Pountney than his 401 appearances for the club, for all his player of the year awards, or for being one of just 29 individuals honoured by being awarded a testimonial by the club.

But it is easy to imagine why he was held in such high esteem. Southend United have 2 trophies in their cabinet, they also have 2 famous cup exploits. Whilst the League One title in 2005/06 and the legendary League Cup win over Man U is still fresh in many of our minds, up and until then the greatest achievements in the club's history were the Division 4 title in 1980/81 and holding European Champions Liverpool, to a draw at a snowy Roots Hall in 1979. Both involved Ron Pountney, who played all but two games in the title winning season and who'd earlier been amongst the the Southend heroes who'd held the Liverpool side packed full of future pundits and failed managers.

Some might say Dave Smith was the man who represents that era more than anyone, but it is difficult to argue that a man who won player of the season award three times when only one other player (Billy Best) won it more than once, played over 400 times for the club and helped win the club's first trophy doesn't belong in the Southend United Hall of Fame.
 
Was fortunate enough to see Ron in his prime at Southend, a midfield dynamo, the like of which Nicky Bailey could only dream of. Quietly and unassumingly grafting or making those drilled passes for the likes of Stuart and Derrick Parker, Peter Silvester and Steve Phillips to tuck away. A gent on and off the pitch and more than worthy of inclusion in the Hall of Fame.
 
Ron Poutney used to live down my Aunts road (Symons Avenue). Many times I used to chat to him as I cycled past. He was always very friendly.

Oh yeah, he wasn't a bad player either.
 
The one thing that i remember about Pountney was that he ran his socks off for the cause - he was skilful and nippy - but everyone appreciated his 'never say die' attitude he always seemed to have.
 
The one thing that i remember about Pountney was that he ran his socks off for the cause - he was skilful and nippy - but everyone appreciated his 'never say die' attitude he always seemed to have.

Agree with that, he never gave less than his best for the cause, and it was great that he finally got his well deserved testimonial. Bloody good player and a bloody good bloke.
 
What idiot voted no to him being in the HOF? The man is a Southend legend who gave everything whilst playing for Southend. Without doubt the most popular player to ever player for Southend. I shall never forget in the last few games of season 1982-83 when Dave Smith had clearly lost the respect of the players and the players really couldnt care less about playing for Southend Ron Pountney was the exception and still gave everything or the club.
Should be the 1st person in the HOF ahead of even the likes of Eastwood and Collymore.
 
I think you should re-open this poll immediately so that all those who failed to vote can register their shout for Ron...

Surely you need to take into account the family fixture congestion of the Christmas period - it can be the only reason why this one slipped under so many peoples radar.

If true gents and legends like Ronnie Pountney can't gain entry to the hall of fame than frankly it makes a nonsense out of the whole thing...
 
He was a real busy bee of a midfielder. Seemed to be everywhere. 100% effort and never say die attitude. Great player. Became a painter and decorator in the local area I am told. Also had his name sprayed on the side of the 1st shop/flat bottom of Vic Avenue where only the pizza shops are left. An honour, as I only saw his name and Billy Best's sprayed anywhere.
 
Blimey, what did he have to do to get in the HOF back then.

A 95.7% yes just wasn't enough!
 
The forerunner to the trust finally got his Testimonial off the ground in 2000 against Charlton
The first thing he did when he was presented with the first check was to buy his son a playstation.
And he was still a Painter and Decorator .
A truly nice bloke
 
The forerunner to the trust finally got his Testimonial off the ground in 2000 against Charlton
The first thing he did when he was presented with the first check was to buy his son a playstation.
And he was still a Painter and Decorator .
A truly nice bloke

and an integral part of my side.

:Smile:
 
Oh right.

Definitely needs a new poll, as that has to be classed as a hung jury, so to speak.

Unless, as RHB says, he's already in it anyway.
 
Wasn't on SZ in 2009, but I would definitely vote him on if there was a new poll. Great player , always gave 100% and as mentioned before a jolly good bloke. You don't win player of the year 3 times and in an era when we had some good players, unless you have some thing a bit special.
 
This is the last post from Yorkie in 2017

'So far the following form this most exclusive of clubs:

Chris Powell with 100% of the vote and a poll of 66 votes in favour
Sid Bloomfield with a 97.73% of the vote, polling 43 to 1
Stanley Collymore with 94.44% of the vote, 102 to 6
Ron Pountney, at the 2nd attempt, with 91.07% and 51 to 5 (only 22 votes in favour on 1st poll)
Oliver Trigg with 100% of the vote, polling 47 votes
Frank Gill with 94.29% and 33 to 2
Billy Best with 97.78% and 44 to 1
David Webb with 98.44% and 63 to 1
Alan Moody with 98.31% and 58 to 1
Spencer Prior with 91.53% and 54 to 5
Freddy Eastwood with 95.63% and 153 to 7
Paul Clark at the 2nd attempt with 91.10% and 82 to 8 (89.69%, 87 to 10 at first attempt)'
 
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