Memory Lane SZ's Southend United Hall of Fame - - Sid Broomfield has passed away RIP Sid

[Cricko]

Horrid news, I knew him well R.I P Sid. Gutted.

 

[Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset]

Such sad news - Sid is Roots Hall, the old place without him will just seem to be a little empty

I was fortunate enough to meet Sid when he came along to meet Alan Moody at the Argyle match in Sept 2017 - Alan was so chuffed that Sid had made the effort to come along and say hello

Only two weeks ago I contacted the club asking if SUEPA could contact Sid to see if he would agree to become a SUEPA member - I learned that he had gone in to a home and was waiting to hear further news, and now regretably we will not get the chance to get in touch again. I'm sure that all of the ex players coming along to 'Smith's Army' day on 30 March will be sad to learn of this loss and certainly a glass or two will be raised in his honour.

RIP Sid

 

[The Big Dady]

Now on OS



https://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/2019/march/sid-broomfield/

 

[The Big Dady]

Only two weeks ago I contacted the club asking if SUEPA could contact Sid to see if he would agree to become a SUEPA member - I learned that he had gone in to a home and was waiting to hear further news, and now regretably we will not get the chance to get in touch again. I'm sure that all of the ex players coming along to 'Smith's Army' day on 30 March will be sad to learn of this loss and certainly a glass or two will be raised in his honour.

Could SUEPA award Sid a posthumous membership?

I am sure everyone would agree it would be a fitting tribute.

 

[Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset]

Could SUEPA award Sid a posthumous membership?

I am sure everyone would agree it would be a fitting tribute.

We have (sadly) had this issue before with one or two others - the conclusion was that it was appropriate for us to post a tribute which is what I will do for Sid shortly.

 

[The Big Dady]

Sid Broomfield RIP the man who built Roots Hall with his team of helpers and his bare hands.


Looking out across Roots Hall rubbish dump before work started


Surveying Roots Hall before building work started


Surveying Roots Hall before building work started

The club's historic Roots Hall ground, which was paid for in the 1950s entirely by supporters and built by their legendary groundsman, Sid Broomfield - plus what Broomfield calls "a small group of hardworking blokes."


Roots Hall is a footballing monument, financed by a then considerable £74,000 raised in the 50s by Southend's supporters' club. Sid Broomfield, was working on the farm belonging to Southend's chairman, Alderman H H Smith. "He came up to me one day, and he said Sid: 'I've got a little job for you'."


The job was to transform, single-handedly at first, a huge, stinking rubbish dump into a football ground. Broomfield dug out 30 feet of sand, finding such things as cookers, bike frames and mattresses underneath. He names the few men who mucked in: "My brother Ken, brother in law Arthur, Peter Starkey, Henry Turnage, Ernie Bibby and his mate Fred, Chango Wayland ... Just a few men with heart."


First Game at the New Roots Hall was against Norwich City on the 20th August 1955.


First game at the New Roots Hall was against Norwich City on the 20th August 1955. Southend won the match 3-1 with McCrory, Hollis, and Dowsett scoring for the Shrimpers with 17,700 supporters in attendance.


Adding underground drainage to the pitch prior to the FA Cup 4th Round game with Manchester City on the 28th Jan 1956 in front of 29,500, Southend United lost 0-1.

 

[The Big Dady]

The new South Bank with it's 72 steps


Southend United's team training on the new South Bank

Southend's players were paid 3s 6d an hour in the close season to work on the ground, marshalled by the goalkeeper, Harry Threadgold. The stadium finally opened in 1955, but it took Broomfield until 1962 to lay, block by concrete block, the 72-step South Bank terrace. "It was hard work," he says. "But I did enjoy it. The club was friendly, like a family. The supporters deserve great credit for financing it."


The North Bank


The West Stand


The Main Stand before it was extended the full length of pitch


The Main Stand after it was extended the full length of pitch


View from the top of the South Bank before the South Bank was finished and North Bank was extended to full width of pitch, and Main Stand extended to length of pitch.


American Football at Roots Hall

 

[Shrimper]

They played American Football at RH?

 

[The Big Dady]

They played American Football at RH?

Yes they were called Southend Sabres, but are now known as East Essex Sabres.

Rick Waters who formed them in 1984 and were part of the Budweiser League. Rick says, “I remember one of my greatest moments was playing three games at Roots Hall in front of nearly 3,000 spectators and winning our first game against the Reading Renegades on the 27-04-1986 Budweiser League Division 1.

“I also remember being M.V.P for that game (I think they felt sorry for me)” Today Rick Waters can be found strolling the sidelines as the East Essex Sabres Strength & Conditioning Coach.

Final score Southend Sabres 20 Vs 12 Reading Renegades”.

https://www.east-essex-sabres.co.uk/our-history/

 

[EnzoBlue]

Wonderful pictures documenting the early days.
RIP Sid.

 

[mfurok]

RIP Sid a true Southend legend.

Sir Stanley gave up his holiday to play in his testimonial.

Nuff said.

Legend.

RIP

 

[OldBlueLady]

RIP Sid, my grandad was one of those who helped a bit with the build. Frank Gill, Frank Walton, Sid Broomfield.....three legends of SUFC reunited again - maybe they can get some celestial planning in place for Fossetts?!

 

[Blueronron]

Be nice to name a stand after him, if ever we get to New promised Land and also Kevin Mahers well deserved testimonial

 

[wildheart]

Great pictures, but so evident that we need a new home. It would be good if we could remember him in some way? Broomfield Way has a ring to it?

 

[The Big Dady]

Nice article also in the Echo

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/17476722.roots-hall-creator-sid-broomfield-dies-aged-94/

 

[NZamba Legend]

Roots Hall was/ is a thing of beauty. Just look at those pictures.

 

[ozzie]

RIP Sid,
was at that Chelsea game,spoilt by some Chelsea scum.After the game they also had a disco in the Shrimpers which i went to as well.
Great photos of RH,still the best stadium in the UK

 

[David Icke]

Does anyone know when/where the funeral will be?

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell has paid tribute to Sid Broomfield, the man who helped to build Roots Hall.

More...

 

[Shrimper]

An obituary for Sid is in the Southend standard. It says a funeral service will take plat on 14th March at St.Laurence followed by commital at Hall Road Cemetery. All who knew Sid are welcome, family flowers only but donations in Sid's name to cancer research welcome c/o Stibbards and Sons, 4 Commonhall Lane, Hadleigh, SS7 2RN