Summer 2015 2

All At Sea is an unofficial publication that sup - ports Southend United Football Club. This is not the official programme and is in no way con - nected with the club.

Disclaimer: Every article published within All At E know it’s tough, June in an Sea is the opinion of the author of the piece, not editorial odd-numbered year. Yes there’s necessarily that of the editorial team. We will publish anything that is sent to us, providing it the Women’s World Cup and the does not leave us open to libel or is not likely to WCopa America, but despite these distrac - offend a large percentage of the readership. tions, the football enthusiast is struggling Anything sent anonymously will not be consid - at this time of year. The only thing man - ered for inclusion. agers, players and agents are concerned Not everything said about the club will be posi - about in June is Instagramming pictures tive. However, we will endeavour to keep any of cocktails and beaches, which means in criticism of SUFC constructive. If anybody feels maligned by the contents of the fanzine, they the 24/7 information age, us fans are are entitled to a right of reply. struggling to get our fix. With regard to copyright, we endeavour to use Shrimperzone has turned into a mad place our own photographs and material whenever where 12 pages of threads about what the possible. Any unacknowledged copyright holders new kit might look like has become accept - are encouraged to get in touch. able, while social media has been full of pan - icky comments about how we should have Correspondence address: signed half a new team by now and that mo - All At Sea mentum has already been lost ahead of the 62 Eastcote Grove new season. Southend-on-Sea But don’t worry. We’re here with our first SS2 4QB summer edition to at least part-fill the void by giving you something to read and at least dis - Please send any contributions to tract you for a few minutes. [email protected] or to the We’ve taken the decision to offer this up postal address above online only. It has no issue number and no ad - vertising. It does not count as part of sub - Website: www.aas-fanzine.co.uk scriptions. This is partly because it’s June and there’s no games to sell it at, and partly to see Subscriptions: £10 for eight issues (UK) if we can attract a few of the online commu - £24 for eight issues (Mainland Europe) Cheques nity, many of whom don’t even know what a payable to James Forsyth fanzine is. We have 1,700 Twitter followers, but sell around 300 copies per month. That Back issues: £1.50 inc postage. doesn’t seem right to us, so we’ll see what Advertising: Full page £20, happens with this. Half page £15 One thing is for sure though – we’re not Quarter page £10 going to be abandoning print. This is a one- Colour full page £30 off, so the traditionalists can rest easy. Normal service will be resumed in August when we hit Next issue: Swindon, August 22 (probably) the streets with Issue 56 for the visit of Swin - Deadline: Monday, August 17 don on the 22nd. The bulk of this special edition will be Editorial team: taken up with celebrating promotion. When Ed Beavan (in exile), James Falkingham, Jamie we’ve brought out post-promotion issues be - Forsyth fore, it’s been the following August and all thoughts have turned to current matters, so it Front page picture: Peter Miles will be nice to be able to properly celebrate 3 All At Sea Promotion Special Summer 2015 4 getting out of the basement league. If you’re bored of Wembley talk (you’re not), there’s other stuff too. We delve deep into the past with Peter Baker on how tough it was to go up before play-offs, and Andrew Roach takes the club to task on arguably the that none of us will ever forget. most bizarre missive to appear on their HONESTLY never thought anything wwouldh top thea playotff fi nal aof 200 5. feThe deay hadl beigunn in a rag ther more homepage since the famous Sturrock-sack - subdued fashion, in the surroundings of Far - ing “statement”. We pay tribute to Barry Seeing the net bulge as Freddy ringdon's strategically positioned Wether - Corr, who has decided to move on to pas - Islammed the ball home at the Millen - spoons. We gathered at 1pm, arriving from tures new, with a look back at his top 10 nium Stadium to send us up was my our different entry points into London, but moments in a Southend shirt. And we’ll dish best ever football moment until about unlike the last game of the season, there out our prestigious player of the year 8.27pm on Saturday, 23rd May 2015. was no boistrousness, no singing, no sou - award. I didn’t realise Dan Bentley had saved it venir mobile phone videos being filmed in This month, most of the talk has been at first. Like many others around me, it was - readiness for glory. Just pure nerves. about contracts. Phil Brown has finally n't until Sam Wood flicked his leg helplessly I was fine in the pub, but I left alone at signed his three-year deal and my sources as the ball came back to him that I realised about 2.45pm to meet my best mate Si in tell me that because of the length of time the net had not bulged. It was that and the JJ Moons, Wembley. Once on my own, the that took, they’re already negotiating on the wall of yellow haring towards the orange- nerves well and truly set in. The overground next one. Of course, managers rarely last clad goalkeeper that convinced me we had train from Euston to Wembley Central, de - that long these days and whether the con - won it. And then everything is just a blur of void of all but a handful of Wembley-bound tract will be honoured remains to be seen arms and legs. supporters, saw my heart rate double as, but let’s hope it will – it will mean things are That penalty overtook Freddy’s goal. In away from the distraction of conversation, going in the right direction. fact, Freddy’s goal had already been over - the significance We’ve had our fair share of swipes at taken about 20 of the occasion Brown over the past couple of years but he minutes earlier, dawned. delivered us a promotion and you can’t when Joe Pig - On arrival, argue with that. The club also seems to be ott’s angled Si was in good moving forward with a strong backroom shot hit the net spirits despite team and as long as we continue to in front of us as being irked by progress, there’s no harm in keeping things we waited for denied initial the way they are. penalty that was. If Alex Lynch had got to the referee to entry to the pub Michael Timlin is away on his honey - that, he’d still be in hospital now. blow the final by “Wether - moon and as such has not signed a new The usual stock of pre-season games whistle. My coat Nazis” because contract yet, but the Echo told us this week have been arranged, with the highlight was on, I was he was munch - it’s not far from being done. Deegan looks probably the home game with Charlton. ready to leave ing on a likely to leave with the parties a fair way Trips to Great Wakering, Canvey and Brain - Wembley in a sausage roll. away on a deal, but Will Atkinson will sign tree have become annual events but it is dejected huff. Si’s attendance his two-year deal when he returns from hol - important to help local non-league clubs My brother this season was iday. out. We all moan at how selfish the Premier informed me af - non-existant There’s been no new signings as yet, but League clubs have become, shunning terwards that, until the playoff recent seasons show this is fairly normal. games with Football League clubs in favour during the cele - semi final sec - Transfer activity tends to hot up towards the of trips to Dubai, the Far East and the USA. brations for Pigott’s equaliser, he’d never ond leg, for a variety of reasons, not least a end of June, and clearly a couple of strikers Non-league clubs are important in their seen me like it. I was “like an animal”. A newborn son. But let there be no talk of need to be the club’s priority, with only communities and deserve a pre-season pay whole season’s joy, frustration and hope all daytripping here. He and I spent many a Jason Williams currently on the books in day, so get down to some of those games if coming out in a series of tribal roars di - Tuesday night away losing to some northern that position. you can. rected into the night sky around north west outfit in the dreadful days of the late 1990s. Club hero Adam Barrett has been per - London. The ten-hour round trip to see us Before the final appearance had been con - suaded to delay his retirement which is Enjoy the issue and the summer. blow it on the final day in the rain at More - firmed, he had booked this weekend up in great news. He proved a lot of people cambe. The horrible defeat to 10-man Bur - Liverpool, to see one of his relatives get, er, wrong with his contribution at the end of Jamie Forsyth ton, who had cheated their way to victory confirmed. Having travelled up on Friday, he last season and it has to be said, what a @Jaimundo_ESX 10 months earlier. Banished in one night 5 All At Sea Promotion Special Summer 2015 6 got back on a train to London on Saturday chairs made for a great spectacle, even if and Coker cleared away. Then Bentley made don’t think I’ve ever experienced such pan - morning, and booked a place on the last some unscrupulous types had been report - an even better save from Aaron Pierre’s demonium after a goal. train back to Liverpool that night. It was at edly hoovering them up and bagging them header, which looked to me like it may have The relief was incredible, but we'd not 7.56pm. Extra time would be no good, he’d before the fans whom they were meant for been hitting the crossbar. won it yet, we had next to no recovery time have to be out of the stadium by 7.25pm. I had taken their seats. Not very classy, but Southend should have had a penalty before we would have to watch our entire thought that was more than a little ambi - fortunately most of them seemed to have when Corr was clattered over by Jacobson season go down to a penalty shootout. Cel - tious with both clubs finishing on exactly the made their way into the right hands. when trying to meet Michael Timlin's diago - ebrations turned to tension once more as same points and showing similar form. I thought during the first half, we were nal cross, a trademark of the midfielder's our entire group of mates in our row linked It was also nice to bump into a few the better side. My main gripe was that the that has led to a few goals this season. At arms in solidarity with the teams in the cen - other friends and old faces in the pub, be - full backs, especially Coker, had been reluc - the time I appealed but was unsurprised tre circle. fore after a few drinks the pub closed up at tant to support the attack. Marcus Bean, when it wasn't given. Having seen it back, it Pigott stepped up, Lynch got a hand to 4.45pm to allow the clearup ahead of the their makeshift right back, was clearly vul - was a stonewall penalty. it but couldn’t stop it. Murphy sent Bentley Saturday night crowd. nerable, as was their rookie keeper Lynch, It was no surprise when the game went the wrong way. Then Ben Coker stepped up. We split up after the short walk to the and I felt we should have tried harder to into extra time. I don't think either team had I’d told everyone who would listen in the stadium and the only negative part of the make inroads down the flanks. really done enough to win it. Four minutes pub earlier that he’d be my choice to take a day came, when walking to the turnstiles, I However, you can hardly blame the play - later, the tension turned to despair. Jacobson penalty in normal time, with Barry having of - could hear an aggressive, clearly drunk ers for being cagey on such an occasion, curled a free kick off the bar and into the fered up the penalty duties after his semi Southend fan singing “fuck off Wycombe” in particularly as it has been our default stance net. I didn't watch the big screen behind me final miss. Coker, surely would score. He for a replay, but it later emerged the ball had went down the middle, Lynch went to his the faces of any unfortunate fans in sky blue for much of the season. Barry Corr had the gone in off Bentley’s back. It was not some - right, but saved with his legs. Despair once that happened to be walking past, including ball in the net and I was a good three sec - thing I was aware of at the time, nor had I more. at least one family with young children. I'm onds into a frenzied celebration before real - made the connection that Jacobson should Mawson’s penalty pressed home the ad - ashamed to say I didn’t risk taking him to ising the referee had ruled the goal out have conceded a penalty some 20 minutes vantage – Bentley went the right way but it task – I really hope he was one of those thanks to a push by Corr's fellow compatriot earlier. I’m glad I didn’t, as I got frustrated was too good. Leonard smashed his into the fans later shamed on national telly for leav - Bolger. enough watching Wycombe constantly time - roof of the net. Hayes sent Bentley the ing early. The game was tense and there seemed waste and feign injury for what seemed the wrong way, the Wickford lad was never The atmosphere in the ground was no - little in the way of danger for our defence whole of extra time. going to miss. At this stage, it really wasn't ticeably better than when some 10,000 until the latter stages of the second half. We looked a beaten team. Payne, We - looking too good. more Blues had turned up for the JPT a cou - Hayes should have done better when put ston and Pigott had been brought on to try Jack Payne, apparently the best penalty ple of years ago. The free scarves left on through by Holloway but Bentley denied him and turn the game in our favour, but we taker at the club, lived up to his mantle. looked tired and bereft of ideas. When Pigott Then up stepped Matt Bloomfield, sent a header well wide in the last minute, Wycombe's longest-serving player, who had it was the signal for me to text my good lady lost the ball needlessly in extra time and cost just one word: “Lost”. It was only fair she be his team. He put it to Bentley's right, a good aware of the kind of mood I would be in height, saved. He’d cost his team again. when I returned home that night, season With Southend going first, once Michael over and promotion gone for the third time Timlin had sent Lynch the wrong way, we in five years. now had the advantage. It was all on Marcus I remember Weston getting the ball and Bean – being a Col Ewe reject I was praying looking hesitant, perhaps looking for a long for him to miss, but it wasn’t to be: he sent ball into the box. The crowd pleaded with Bentley the wrong way. Now we were into him to do something, anything. He did. He sudden death and Adam Barrett walked for - beat his man and swung a decent cross into ward. He smashed it into the top corner and the box, but it was behind everyone. I didn’t we were treated to the famous double fist see who knocked it down, nor did I see Pig - salute once again. Jacobson then sent Bent - ott get his shot away, there were too many ley the wrong way and walked away taunt - blue-shirted bodies in the way. All I saw was ing the young goalkeeper. the ball suddenly appear from the crowd, Up stepped Myles Weston, I could barely and it seemed to be as much as a surprise watch. I’d stuck up for Myles all season in to Alex Lynch as it was to me. The goal - spite of the idiot boo boys and he'd repaid keeper never moved as it flew into the bot - me by setting up that goal in extra time. If tom corner. We, on the other hand, did. I he missed, it would be unbearable. He did - 7 All At Sea Promotion Special Summer 2015 8

world. He’d booked himself on the overnight Colombian drug lord out of business Megabus, leaving Victoria at 11.30pm and overnight. A few beers was enough for us, arriving in Liverpool at 5am Sunday! What a we were exhausted as we headed back to story, dedication well and truly rewarded Essex. Home by 1am, hangover dodged. I and he had time for some backslaps and a was even thanked the following day by the couple of pints before heading to get the wife for not getting into the state I usually long bus up north. The game and the aftermath had gone return from away games from. I will remem - on so long, our drinking time was curtailed ber it all, and I’ll remember it forever. somewhat but it didn’t matter. If you could bottle and sell that feeling when Bentley Jamie Forsyth saved that penalty, you would put every @Jaimundo_ESX

n’t. Bottom right, cool as you like. Aaron Hol - of the fans. loway, in off the post. So close Bentley. Now I hadn’t realised Brown and Ainsworth Cian Bolger, who had managed to turn his had watched the penalties together with season around in recent weeks. Top right great dignity, rightly praised by the national corner, another fantastic penalty. media the following day. For Brown, this was This looked like it was never going to redemption for all the people that had la - end. Up stepped Sam Wood, a left-footer belled him a figure of fun. who had set up the flukiest goal seen at After bumping into several old pals on Roots Hall in a long time back in March when the way out of the ground and embracing his volley hit Steven Craig’s heel and bobbled about 100 people, many of whom were in. His luck was out now. Bentley flung him - complete strangers, it was back to Baker self to his left and the rest is history. Street to celebrate in the only way we know I don’t remember much about the cele - how. After a brief dither prompted by the bration immediately afterwards, just the number of people outside the Globe, we noise. 20,000 Shrimpers fans going beserk opted to head for the Volunteer where we in the national stadium. Will it ever get any managed to persuade the bouncers we better than that? Up the steps the lads went meant no harm. to get the trophy, a great moment in any After a few ales, who should we see Picture courtesy of player's career, before the champagne was coming down the street but Si, who had sat Christopher Nice popped on the pitch. Fantastic to see White in a different tier to us during the game. and Barrett, Essex boys and captains past He’d missed his 7.56pm train to Liverpool, @Nicey_16 and present, dancing with the trophy in front because he couldn’t miss that finish for the 9 All At Sea Promotion Special Summer 2015 10

professional football being farmed out on loan to glamourous locations like Aldershot and Kettering (incidentally it was the season when Crawley pipped us to promotion on the last day after spending suspicious amounts of money on higher-level players and their wages). Any anoraks of the lower leagues, and I include myself in their number, will enjoy this book for the insight it gives to some of the well-known characters of the game. At times it is a little too meticulous, with almost every result detailed throughout long seasons, along with an assessment on Smith’s own performance in almost every one. He must have spent a lot of time on Soccerbase, or have an amazing memory. However, Smith is man enough to own up to his failures as a young professional, too much boozing and late nights and not enough hard work. Although he attempted to make up for this in later years, adapting followed Dave Webb to the club from Yeovil to the required professionalism was too lit - Town, where he had impressed as a creative tle, too late to reignite a career which prom - attacking midfielder. I remember being very ised loftier heights than those he reached. excited with his signing, as I’ve always liked The thinking behind his decisions on which players in that mould. Unfortunately a series clubs to join and how to conduct his contract of injuries combined with Webb’s retirement negotiations is also interesting and serves as due to ill-health meant he never had the a reminder of how precarious the career of chance to shine at Roots Hall. Signed on a players at our level can be. A favourite pas - year’s contract, he was understandably re - sage of mine was when he went to renego - leased by Rob Newman, of whom Smith tiate his contract at Yeovil after drinking in does not hold fond memories. Newman is the club bar and slapped a full pint on chair - described as changing from an amiable and insightful assistant into a manager who con - man John Fry’s desk as he sat down to begin stantly sniped at him for lacking fitness and talks. struggled to deal with the distance required Smith’s time as a professional had as of a manager from his players. That whole many lows as highs, but he rightly mentions period of our history is best forgotten al - that he has been lucky to play at Old Traf - though Newman had been a very popular ford, enjoyed several promotions and to player amongst supporters. have been paid relatively well for 17 years This book documents Smith’s entire 17- HE tagline for this book reads: The more interesting side of the rest of in a job he would have done for free. His year professional career as well as an insight w“Ben Smoith, profressiondal footba ller. smith the book concerns his time at Crawley when diary as a struggling teacher will also strike Recognise the name? Of course into his struggle trying to make it as a sec - the reader gets an insight into the character a chord for anyone who has had to change yTou don’t”. Well I do, and many other ondary school teacher following his retire - of Smith’s then-manager, Steve Evans. career and shows how difficult it can be for Southend fans will have done in the ment and a few words about his formative “Evo’s” temper tantrums and madcap antics lower league professionals to re-join the real years living in Witham and his youth career past, but may have forgotten him. Un - dominate the final few chapters as Smith world after they retire. This book is well with Arsenal. worth the £12.99 cover price, especially for surprising really as Ben made just one documents the twilight of his career at a Before reading from cover to cover, nat - club rising fast through the leagues – too the lower league enthusiast and fans of fleeting substitute appearance for the urally I cheated and turned straight to the clubs Smith has played for. Shrimpers back in 2001 because injury fast as it turned out for the protagonist, who chapter on Southend, which he states “won’t despite playing a big role in their rise to the and bad luck decimated his year-long take long to read” because his time at the Football League, spent his final season in Jamie Forsyth stay at Roots Hall. club was “an unmitigated disaster”. Smith @Jaimundo_ESX 11 All At Sea Promotion Special Summer 2015 12

with penalty” came up, and with it I though tory. our chance of progressing. I was in purga - In those 140 odd minutes of football tory. I then managed to find a live stream those boys went through a microcosm of my and see McLaughlin and Tims notch the vital Southend United supporting life in 25 years. goals to put us through. chT aboeut 1e2.40arm ionn Sundgay 2 4 fthrem othe gomals from ouar gamfes,a whiler boys They sat through a huge amount of terrible So it was game on for the final! I told my would often come in having seen our results football, but then experienced the thrill and May 2015, a new generation of students I’d be coming to their dorm to from the weekend, either congratulating or surprise of a amazing victory to send us all Southend fans in India were inau - watch the game which kicked off at 10pm commiserating me. One Korean student into “dreamland” (sorry for awful cliché). Agurated. Indian time. About 20 turned up and stuck even decided to support Cheltenham Town As Dan palmed out that final penalty, I After sitting through 120 minutes of it out for 120 minutes, as once again it just to irritate me (that didn’t end well for felt these boys had become proper dross, Daniel Bentley’s stunning penalty save looked like we would blow our chance in a him – and he was also a Man City and Bayer Shrimpers, and it solidified my great rela - in the play off penalty shoot-out sent big final. But when in the 122nd minute Joe Leverkusen fan – so a terrible season all Southend back to the promised land of Piggott (who had been criticised for missing tionship with them. Now it is my hope these round!). After a trip home at Christmas, I League One, and about 20 students and a few chances by some students) controlled guys will one day get over to watch us in the put up the posters of the players from the their history teacher (me) into a seething the ball and found the back of the net flesh at Roots Hall. 2015 calendar. Some of the girls got inter - morass of joy, rolling around the floor of a through a sea of Wycombe legs, the celebra - Now, let’s see, how’s about a medieval ested as they thought some of our players dormitory lounge. “We won Mr Beavan, we tion was almost as good as being there (for history field trip to England via Roots Hall were attractive (“Ryan Leonard’s really fit Mr won!”. The first person pronoun used by one me it was more of relief than anything – al - next winter?! Beavan!”). Daniel Bentley had also kindly student for Southend gave me great pleas - though the prospect of penalties was still recorded a video message for the students ure, as part of my mission here in India was daunting). But then Dan Bentley and the Ed Beavan when I saw him after the York game in Jan - done. boys did the business – and the rest is his - @edbeavan Let me give you a bit of context. I am a uary – further building up a rapport between history teacher at Woodstock School in a random international school in India and northern India, an international school in the Southend United. foothills of the Himalayas. I teach four sec - After the gut-wrenching defeat at More - tions of Grade 9 (4th year) history, with cambe on the last day of the season which about 40 football-mad boys in the classes. consigned us to the play offs, I did manage Predictably they support the usual suspects to see one positive. There is a channel here in the Premier League – Man U, Arsenal, which shows Football League games, and all Chelsea, and Liverpool (no Spurs fans the play off matches would be shown. Finally though), while others follow the Spanish gi - there was a chance for my students to see ants Barca and Real. A few follow the the mighty Shrimpers live! razzmatazz of the Indian Premier League Unfortunately the timings of the semi-fi - which started last year, but ultimately the nals v Stevenage were not ideal, kicking off excitement of the Premier League is the at about 11pm and midnight on school - main attraction. nights. Some of the boys sat through some It’s fair to say lower division English foot - of the first leg v Stevenage, although like me ball was not really on their radar before I be - gave up at half time as it was so dire. The came their history teacher this year. second leg was on too late, and in any case Therefore every Monday morning, as we the broadcasters decided to show Wycombe studied Genghis Khan, the Renaissance, the v Plymouth instead. I decided to not watch Battle of Hastings or whatever, I would put the game and go to bed, as I knew it would up the Southend result from the previous be too stressful. However, I could not get to Saturday on the projector. Over the weeks, sleep as I was so on edge thinking about it, they learnt more about the mighty so eventually my wife said I should just get Shrimpers, our best players, our most fa - up and follow online. mous results (I took great joy showing them I went to the BBC text updates to follow the Freddy free kick v Man U and Peter – quite possibly the most painful way of fol - Clarke’s equaliser v Chelsea), while Barry lowing football available to mankind. When Corr, Ben Coker et al were often included as I first logged on it was 1-1, then the last multiple choice options in tests. minute penalty came. After what seemed As the season wore on I would show like an eternity, “Barry Corr misses – hits bar 13 All At Sea Promotion Special Summer 2015 14 the bumpy road to wembley Stevenage 1-1 Southend play into hoof ball Stevenage’s hands, but F there was any doubt about the club were quick to cover the pitch and TAOWARDLS theE end oNf last sTeason , sthougph – theo boardt hats goialsn. Yes, g they’re Southend’s travelling support dwin - the game was on, despite the rain. the club announced a new ticket - not content to sit in the board room flicking dling after the heart break of More - Blues started better and had several half paperclips at each other and drawing straws chances in the first half, but the game only ing system for next season to be cIambe, then that was quashed as early Trun by Advanced Ticketing, using their to see which one of them has to ring Sains - really came to life on the hour. as 8am the following Monday as fans “ecommerce platform” TALENT Sport. bury’s to get some more money to stave off It was the visitors who took the initiative the latest winding-up order. No, at one of queued the length of Roots Hall car park on the night and on aggregate. The ball pin The full caps for Talent were used by to make sure they were at Stevenage for their meetings it seems they drew up some balled around in the box before falling to Tom the club, not me, and are by far the goals for the club to advance. And not just the first leg of the play-off semi final. Pett who fired past a helpless Bentley. How - least offensive thing about the article. fairly obvious ones like “Actually start work The day and time of the game kept many ever, there was to be no repeat of Crewe in Get your bullshit bingo cards out folks, on the new stadium” or “get a footpump to of the usual AAS travelling crowd away, but 2012 or Burton a year earlier, and Blues were and follow me for a journey through blow up that dome we bought”. No, way I travelled in hope that we could at least take soon level with Ryan Leonard smashing business speak not seen since the last down the list, probably about number 36, in a draw back to the Hall for the second leg. home in front of the South Stand to square days of The Office. between “find out if anyone remembers who Before the game, we headed to the Best the tie again. The whole thing was an exercise in spe - Mads Ibenfeldt is” and “get around to giving Western Hotel – not the usual pre match kind With the match destined for extra time, cialised language and corporate bollocks, Kevin Maher a testimonial”, was “To be at of establishment but everyone was a little to Blues were awarded a penalty. Leonard was promising an “integrated online purchasing the forefront of technology changes”. It’s nervy to really worry about the pub, espe - adjudged to have been barged over and from journey” (it will look the same as the rest of good to see these captains of industry mak - cially on a Sunday. After hooking up with nothing, Southend had the chance to secure the website) and a “fully responsive web ex - ing good use of their time. There are, obvi - some old faces, a few swift pints were had their place in the final. Corr stepped up, and perience” (if you click a button it will do ously cost cutting reasons behind this before we made our way to Broadhall Way as Roots Hall held its breath, smashed the something), littered with “strategic”s and though. for the second time in three months. ball against the bar and over. The referee mentions of “the cloud”, offering “solutions” According to Steve Kavanagh, a “cloud- The travelling Shrimpers were in full blew for full time almost immediately after and talking about “devices”. Apparently fans based solution removes reliance on IT staff force, and making plenty of noise behind the and another 30 minutes was required. can now order tickets from any device. I at our end which allows us to streamline our goal. The opening was cagey as expected, It would have been very easy for the have a vacuum cleaner at home. That’s a processes” – classic business speak for with neither side wanting to go behind. The players’ heads to drop and fans to get frus - device. Can I order a ticket with it? No, can “we’re going to be making some people re - first half will be memorable for a clash of trated at that point, but the atmosphere in - I bollocks. dundant” – “and free up staff to do what we heads that left Michael Timlin needing sev - side the ground remained positive as the It reminds me of something I read a do best – run a football club”. No, I can’t be - eral stitches and having to be replaced by players piled on the pressure in the first pe - while ago where a beautician asked some - lieve he said that last bit either. And not hav - Gary Deegan. riod of extra time. one what products they used, only to be sur - ing the ticketing system based in the ticket The home side went in front at the start Finally, Southend got themselves in front prised when they replied “well, pens, office means when it goes wrong, the club of the second half, a cracking strike from in the tie – John White crossed for Stephen notepads that sort of stuff”. They’ve fallen won’t be to blame. They can pin it on “the Dean Parratt flew in past Dan Bentley from McLaughlin to head home from close range into the same trap of using industry specific cloud” and post some waffle on the website 20 yards. In truth, Blues didn’t really deserve to send the Southend fans into a frenzied cel - terms and applying them to another field. about how all these systems aren’t quite as to be behind and for five minutes after the ebration, one matched by the home bench Oh, and be fully prepared to receive fully integrated as they hoped whilst some goal seemed to lose their composure totally. and the players. more crappy advertising from the club as poor teenager from the ticket office spends But a fortunate corner and a deflected Westley threw on another striker as the well. The new system will allow the club to 45 minutes on hold to a third party helpdesk header from Barry Corr levelled the game up visitors realised the tie was slipping away “analyse supporter data” (look at what to try and get it up and running again, only and secured a draw for Southend. from them, and with seconds left, Michael you’re looking at on the website, see what to be told to “unplug it and start it up again, It was only half-time, and 1-1 had prob - Timlin’s moment came. Complete with skull tickets you buy) and “engage with fans in a that should do it”. ably been fair, but it would be a lie to say cap, Timlin picked up the ball, twisted and more tailored way through its campaigns to The whole thing looks as though it es - even the most pessimistic Southend fan was turned his marker before curling a left footed reward loyalty with more relevant offers” sentially is a press release published by Ad - not hopeful of securing a place at Wembley. shot into the corner of the net to send (send you more shit e-mails flogging you vanced Ticketing and just slapped onto the Southend United to Wembley for the second stuff, only this time they’ve got your name club website without any thought as to Southend 3-1 Stevenage time in just over two years. on the top and keep referencing that Blues whether it’s written for the average fan or SO, it was back to Essex for the second leg. ruler you bought online three years ago as for some industry site where people are Rain all day in the south of the county had James Falkingham a stocking filler for your nephew). forced to spend all day conversing not in threatened to make the pitch unplayable and @easymorninrebel The one thing I’ve learnt from this article plain English but in premium, grade A bull - 15 All At Sea Promotion Special Summer 2015 16 shit. They’ve even kept the contact details “Messi Signs”-style “banter” using joke for - for some PR company in the article as mats at least four years out of date and though these poor (I say poor, but they more suited to when your twitter browser chose to work in PR so f**k ‘em) people ac - didn’t automatically load pictures attached tually won’t mind speaking to season ticket to posts. At least they used the word Sup - holders wondering how the new system will porters though, and not Customers. That offer them an integrated online purchasing would have been the final insult. HE departure of Barry Corr to journey. farewell barry Cambridge United at the begin - I’d suggest that the club’s media officer Andrew Roach ning of June came as a shock and should have rewritten it, but he’s probably @Roachmeister aT blow to Southend fans. too busy gathering pictures for the next To read the original article on the Southend While deep down we were all a little con - transfer deadline day so he can pull off more United website, click here cerned about his ability to adapt to League One football and the fact he was always off - side, there’s no denying Corr was a fans’ favourite at Roots Hall having scored 63 goals in five years. His never-say-die attitude, his link-up play and ability to ruffle even the most ex - perienced defender’s feathers were also trademarks of his play. The period in which Corr was at the club will be remembered in our history as a diffi - cult transitional period, where financial con - straints resulted in a “make do and mend” attitude towards the playing side. Aside from that nightmare 18 months out injured, Corr was a rare constant and without his goals in this period, particularly his 21 in 2010/11, who knows where we would be. Barry may have left us for pastures new, but we at All At Sea hold on to some fantas - tic memories from the big man’s time at Roots Hall. Even if you don’t rate him (and plenty don’t) as a striker, there’s no doubt you’ll read some of these and smile. Good luck Barry.

10: Stevenage 1-1 Southend Back in November 2010 there wasn’t too much to shout about, but Barry Corr was a standout performer in that season of consol - idation. This was probably his best moment that season (a campaign in which he netted 21 times). Having come on as a sub just eight minutes earlier, he sent a crisp angled strike into the net for an 85th-minute equaliser in Southend’s first ever visit to Broadhall Way. it’s the week before Christmas and you smash the league leaders. Corr wrapped up 9: Southend 3-0 Chesterfield the points with a deft chip over the advanc - Friday night under the lights at Roots Hall is ing goalkeeper, surely one of his best goals always a special occasion, especially when for the club. 17 All At Sea Promotion Special Summer 2015 18

8: Southend 2-2 Brentford 3: Southend 2-2 Leyton Orient (3-2 ag - Southend looked down and out of the FA gregate) Cup at the 3rd round stage when two first- Left out of the side as Paul Sturrock opted half goals put their League One visitors in for a 4-5-1 to protect a first-leg lead, Corr promotion isr ecnord wehichv stretcherd b aeck ovaer as yeay r. the ascendency. Southend looked to their was brought on after just half an hour for OUTHEND endured an epic strug - This win was achieved with the minimum talisman for inspiration and two textbook Alex Woodyard after Shaun Batt spoiled the gle to gain promotion last season, of chances, opportunistic goals being the se - Barry headed goals put them back in the Scotsman’s plans. Dividends were paid just promotion secured by lifelines. game and forced a replay at Griffin Park. SThe automatic spot, taken away on the cret of Southend’s success. Stubbs scored after the break, when Corr volleyed home an last day of the season but saved by the play- after six minutes, but Torquay equalised Assombalonga knock-down to put Southend after 20 minutes. 7: Oxford 3-3 Southend (3-5 penalties) back in front in the tie and almost take the off lifeline. The semi-final again saved by the lifeline of extra-time and again at Wembley Southend won the game in the early Two goals from Corr had a massive influence roof off a sold-out Roots Hall. on this dramatic encounter which set up an in the final seconds of injury time and then stages of the second half after only two min - Area Final with Leyton Orient. His second on penalties again saved by lifelines. utes Wakefield added then Stubbs added the 2: Southend 1-1 Wycombe (7-6 penal - the hour was a splendid sidefooted long- No one could say it was easy, but there third. ties) range strike which looked to have won it were those lifelines. However, up to 1958 After 20 minutes Torquay pulled a goal until a late goal by the hosts, by which time Barry Corr’s final touch of the ball for there were no lifelines, you had to be cham - back, with ten minutes to go Clough scored Corr had been substituted for Elliot Benyon. Southend United was arguably his most im - pions of your division or you were not pro - with a header. After Notts County drew 1-1 portant. With 122 minutes on the clock at moted nothing for second, or third. During at Swindon, they led the table by nine points 6: Southend 4-1 Millwall Wembley, the referee was about to end this time Southend were not promoted but (only two points for a win). One of the most famous FA Cup games ever Southend’s hopes of promotion for another had two good attempts. to be played at Roots Hall was sparked into year as they trailed 1-0 to Wycombe Wan - In 1931/32, Southend went 15 games Good Friday 7th April 1950 life when Corr headed powerfully into the derers. More in hope than expectation, unbeaten at the start of the season and pro - Notts County 3-1 Port Vale net early on to put the Championship side Myles Weston sent a cross into the box. It motion seemed a formality. But two wins Southend United 2-2 Ipswich Town on the back foot – and they never recov - was behind Corr but he managed to direct a and a draw was all they had to show from Leslie Stubbs, a former Great Wakering cen - ered. cushioned header to Joe Pigott, who con - their next thirteen games and saw them fall tre forward made his first appearance before trolled and sent a low shot into the corner to tenth place. They finished the season the 17,000 Stadium supporters. 5: Stevenage 1-1 Southend of the net. Season saved, and the rest is his - fourteen games unbeaten and if only they With seven games to go Notts County Stevenage, like Wycombe, must have been tory. had a couple more games they could have led by 10 points. sick to the stomach when they found out made it. It was manager Ted Birnie’s finest Barry Corr would yet again be facing them 1: Southend 2-1 Exeter City year, but finishing third meant nothing. Easter Saturday 8th April 1950 next season. Boro have been on the receiv - Having endured 18 months out injured, In contrast, 1949/50 saw the Blues, Notts County 1-1 Torquay United ing end of Barry’s goals four times in recent many thought Barry Corr would never play under manager Harry Warren, with a strong Southend United 3-0 Aldershot years and this one was by far the most im - football again. He received a huge cheer home record – their first twelve home games With six games to go Notts County led by portant. It was scrappy, a far post header when coming off the bench against his for - produced eleven wins and one draw – but if nine points. deflected in off a defender, but it snuffed out mer club Exeter City on 72 minutes, with that was promotion form, they were badly Easter Monday 10th April 1950 the momentum Stevenage had found having Southend trailing. But that was nothing. let down by their away form. Their first thirteen away games produced Port Vale 3-1 Notts County gone a goal up in this vital play-off semi-final Within six minutes, a right-wing cross came just a few minutes earlier. NO wins, six draws and seven defeats, with Ipswich Town 1-3 Southend United towards him, 12 yards out and at an acute such contrasts promotion could never be a With five games to go Notts County lead by angle. While others may have opted to put 4: Portsmouth 1-2 Southend possibility and although they maintained a seven points. the ball back across the goal, there was only Our first trip to Portsmouth since the mid place well within the top ten that was as far 1990s was not going well. A goal down early one thought in Corr’s mind. He sent a as it could go. Saturday 15th April 1950 on, Cauley Woodrow was sent off leaving thumping header, the unfeasible power gen - The away breakthrough came with a win Aldershot 2-0 Notts County Southend with an uphill task to get anything erated by a year and a half’s frustration, into at Millwall and then inevitably four of the Nottingham Forest 1-2 Southend from this trip to Fratton Park. However, we the bottom corner of the net. A few minutes next five away games resulted in wins. Notts United had not reckoned on Corr. First, his reverse later, another returning hero, Freddy East - County were by this time in a virtually un - With four games to go, Notts County lead by pass set Will Atkinson away to equalise. wood, completed the comeback in one of reachable position but there was hope. five points. Then, with eight minutes left, having won the most memorable games at Roots Hall in the header that started the move, the striker recent years. Saturday 1st April 1950 So what had seemed like a lost cause met John White’s cross with his trusty bonce Torquay United 2-4 Southend United suddenly seemed more than a dream with to give Southend a delightfully illicit three Jamie Forsyth To win at Torquay was no mean feat, they Southend having won their last two away points. @Jaimundo_ESX smashed the home side’s unbeaten home games and Notts County having lost their 19 All At Sea Promotion Special Summer 2015 20 two. Just four games left, five points adrift take. with eight to play for, but then: The second half saw Southend in all the opening exchanges, at one stage Wakefield Saturday 22nd April 1950 burst through and netted, but the goal was Southend United 1-2 Northampton ruled offside, a decision that was hotly dis - Town. puted. United crammed everything they had as good as it gets The Blues’ slender hopes of promotion to Di - into the closing stages but the Northampton LMOST a month has passed ton/York/Northampton/Dagenham/Chel - vision Two crashed when they suffered their defence stood firm. since our evening out at Wemb - tenham (I could go on) have taken their second home defeat of the season against Team: Hankey; Lindsay and Walton; Wall - ley and still I find there are toll. The negative mentality of some away Northampton. banks, Sheard and French; Davies,McAlin - qAuestions to be answered. Like, how teams in this division has not been easy on United disappointed their 15,000 sup - den;Wakefield, Stubbs and Clough . is it possible to have the ball in the op - the eye, even at a time when the quality porters, not by losing the game but by their of footballer generally at this level has position’s half with 40 seconds of in - poor display, at times it seemed like it was Notts County beat rivals Nottingham For - been on the up. This stems from only two one player, Albert Wakefield against jury time of extra time to go, when est 2-0 to extend their lead to seven points teams getting relegated, something which Northampton and had the visitors been you’re 1-0 up in a play off final and with just six to play for. The Promotion means a point is so much more precious steadier in front of goal the score could have still not secure promotion? What was dream was over. in League Two. Basically, for a team that been much greater than 1-2. In hindsight, like 1932, a few more Adam Barrett doesn’t actually play to Northampton went ahead after twenty draw that often, I games and just perhaps. The spectators THINKING when five minutes with a hard drive which Hankey think we’ve all had were treated to a good season at the Sta - he took his got his fingers to but the ball flew into the enough. dium as they only witnessed two home de - penalty? Surely he net. The reverse was a shock to the Blues Without meaning but Northampton fully deserved the lead, feats, but a successful season without any didn’t think it was going in? Take the to get too serious, I they were the more dangerous of the two reasonable hope of promotion was disap - thought this a year sides with the Blues a shadow of their for - pointing. Perhaps one similarity was that net off and that ago too, and our play- mer selves. Blues troubles got worse after both seasons they had the advantage of a could have hit the off defeat to Burton 32 minutes when a free kick was headed centre forward who could score goals Jimmy arch. Why did last year hit me like a home. After 56 minutes United opened their Shankly in 1932 and Albert Wakefield in some people who train. And I just don’t account, Clough was fouled in the area and 1950. left early and were get as upset about los - the referee had no hesitation in awarding a walking down ing as I used to either. penalty from which Wakefield made no mis - Peter Baker Wembley way So this year, I spent when we equalised the whole time beg - Fleetwood Town, Highbury still just carry on ging the football Gods ON THE ROAD walking home? Did not to stick us in the play offs again. Please, NOTHING says you’ve gone up a division like Gareth Ainsworth an opening day trip to Fleetwood. no. Glamourous it may not be, but a seaside trip in actually think he In boozy moments early August is never to be sniffed at, even if it could take Cocko? around February I think I may have taken is in Blackpool’s nondescript suburb. Of course the context to the end of our 12th rather than the play-offs. Of course, The Cod Army had a decent season last year evening at the home of football goes way I’m an absolute twat and totally wrong, under Graham Alexander, finishing in mid- beyond the three hours we spent in there. table, and chairman Andy Pilley continues to but that is how I felt after three too many invest in the club, who are punching extraordi - To be honest it goes back five years, pos - pints of Doombar*. narily above their weight. The stadium is the sibly more. As exciting as our yo-yo up and And then, on Good Friday, we went on best example of this – Highbury is a compact down the divisions was in the last decade, a delightful run that promotion dreams are but modern ground with a terrific steep away these last five years have been a frustrat - terrace. (smaller than Rayleigh) and has limited options made of. Seven wins in a row without con - At 276 miles, this is the furthest we will have for pre-match entertainment. However, AAS ing time to be a Southend fan. Yes, we ceding a goal. And the drama of that run, to travel all season and the logistics are a little drank in an excellent pub on our last visit have been a top-half team, and we have despite not strictly meaning much by the tricky if coming by train. It involves a trip to called the Strawberry Gardens, which is large certainly had some good times, winning end, will live long in the memory. Hanging Blackpool North (which in itself requires a and serves a great selection of the ale. more games than we have lost every year, out in the car way beyond arriving home change at Preston) followed by a tram north to Alternatively, further into the town is the and if not flirting with the play-offs every Fleetwood, six miles or so from the resort. Al - Thomas Drummond, a Spoons, but this is a lit - just to listen to end of the Hartlepool game ternatively, the nearest station is Poulton-Le- tle further from Highbury. time, then being in them (and failing, mis - without missing a second. Almost filling Fylde, about five miles away from the ground. Tickets for the terrace are £20, with seats erably). But these home games playing my pants there and then on the terrace at The fishing town of Fleetwood is very small available in a side stand for £22. against the likes of Morecambe/Accring - Exeter after Timlin netted our 96th minute 21 All At Sea Promotion Special Summer 2015 22 winner (now that would have been an tell you what, I’m not sure I will ever see awful journey home). Polluting my lounge and experience a moment like Joe Pigott’s with BO whilst listening to the agony of goal ever again. And I will never forget the the Bury game (I have discovered that re - look on people's faces. I have literally not Blaernsaley:gEe uby geum. Gorim enx-meining: t owan rough guide ally, for health reasons, big games on the seen anything like it. Man Utd at home, where southerners found in the town centre radio are probably not for me). And the hi - Chesterfield: Chelsea away, Lincoln in the play offs, are burned on a pyre on a hill at sunset. larity of our winner against Luton to propel Swansea away – forget it. Piggot’s goal is Nice ground, abiding memory is drinking in Crooked us into the top three prior to the final day my greatest moment as a Southend fan, a leisure centre. of the season, and the delight on people’s because of everything that went before it. faces in the pub afterwards with the ac - And for the rest of my life, if I need to knowledgement that finally, we were going Blackpool: Spectacularly badly run club switch off for whatever reason, and take who might not even have bottomed out yet. to get out of this God-forsaken division. myself back to a moment in time in my And then Morecambe. If Morecambe Tradition implies they must begin every sea - football life that will forever make me son with four players. Play in the most over - away was an election campaign it would happy, I will always have that moment. have been Nigel Farage’s this year. (“I ac - rated seaside town in Britain, possibly the Watching the FA Cup final exactly a world. tually think we’re going to do this lads”. Er, week later made it even better. Watching no you're bloody not pal, and you’re going Arsenal fan after Arsenal fan wax lyrical Bradford: Cup specialists who dwell in a to want to bugger off and go on holiday about their achievement and how amazing weird, two up two down stadium. Managed straight after to forget about the whole de - it all was just left me a bit flat. Don’t get by Phil Parkinson, ex-Col Ewe scummer. bacle as well). The whole thing was crap. me wrong, I have plenty of friends who It was like dribbling in your keks after you are Arsenal fans and I was delighted for Burton: Cheating bastards who were think you’ve finished in the bog. It was like them. But they have won it before (last grudgingly the best team in League Two last finding out the cat has taken a slash in year) and they will do it again, and until your slippers. It was like putting petrol in year. Real ale mecca, great away trip. they win the Champions League (not going your diesel engine. And it was in Lan - to happen) they will always be a bit disap - cashire. Honestly, what a day. What a stu - Bury: Greater Manchester club in and out pointed. Their context is being pretty good pid, pointless day. of financial difficulties for years, now prov - tumbling down again. all of the time, but ultimately, not quite But as we all know, at some point, and ing they’ve learned nothing by splashing good enough. Who wants that? Our con - normally after way longer than we would loads of cash with gates of 3,000. Likely to Chesterfield: Market town, nice pubs, text was ugly, and hard fought, and a real like, all our cash spent behind the bar of do well before the house of cards comes over-aggressive fans in the mould of Mans - test of loyalty at times, ending with a hurt and disappointment will come good. field. Church spire has something wrong game so lacking in quality I know of one The barman will suddenly, out of nowhere, with it. Team overachieved last season but of those Arsenal fans who turned our hand out a whole weekend’s worth of Blackpool: had manager poached by Pompey. Jagerbombs, at no cost, for one and all, game off long before my greatest moment as a Southend fan. I am not a football until you can drink no more. And that mo - Not usually Colchestaargh: Inferior Essex town where snob, I’m really not, but sometimes I don’t ment came VERY suddenly, and VERY inbreeding is common and the locals are too think fans of big clubs get it. To fish this sunny clearly, at around 8.10pm on Saturday scared to go out at night because of all the around in the sea of lower league crap is 23rd May. squaddies. Play in Tesco carrier bags in a to suffer, big time. To win a play-off final When Joe Pigott swung his left peg at lego set in the middle of nowhere. that ball with 10 seconds left we held our the way we did with our recent history? breath (we actually did – listen to the Well, it just doesn’t happen does it? Except crowd from the fan video taken from our it did. end in the corner, it actually happens) and Where do you go when you’ve had it then I swear it wasn’t two hours of frus - as good as it gets? I have no idea, literally tration spilling out then. Despite not actu - no idea. But let’s start in League One shall ally winning promotion at that moment, I we? believe that goal let out years of League Two anguish amongst thousands of us. Piers Hewitt And we were all there, drinking it in, dur - @piershewitt ing a moment of absolute ecstasy. I know we still had penalties to go, and they were *Big up to Pete from The Railway for com - A pair of Col Ewe equally nerve-wracking as exciting, but I ing good on that. season ticket holders 23 All At Sea Promotion Special Summer 2015 24

Oldham Athletic: Depressed Lancashire former mill town with a station called Scunthorpe: Millwall: Welcoming ‘Mumps’. Coldest ground in the Football League but mercifully close to a decent city Poverty porn (Manchester) so you don’t have to spend too much time there.

Peterborough United: My pet irrational hate. Club that believes it is far bigger than it actually is, run by a Twitter-ob - sessed cocky chairman and Barry Fry. OK, perhaps not so irrational. Decent city cen - tre ground but they knocked down the best away end in Football League in name of ‘progress’. Scunthorpe United: The only team in the Port Vale: One of two teams in England country to have their name banned by not named after a location (Arsenal is the swear filters everywhere. Town is famous other), the Fail (as their more illustrious city for a horrific fly-on-the-wall documentary rivals know them) are based in Stoke-on- called Skint a few years back. Play at rela - Trent. Reside in a ridiculously oversized tively new ground (1988) so bad they’re Coventry: Groundhopping ex-Premier Gillingham: Nearest trip as the crow flies, ground and the locals call each other duck planning to move again. League club now firmly entrenched in the a grim northern town picked up and and eat oatcakes for breakfast. lower leagues. Stadium almost in a different dumped in the south. Dislikeable chav fans. Sheffield United: Taking over from postcode area to the city. Unhappy home of Effectively impossible to get to in midweek Rochdale: Not quite as grim as Oldham Portsmouth as the ‘must-do’ away game for Freddy Eastwood for a couple of years. with the QEII bridge the modern-day, but not too far off. Makes up for it by being the season, the club has become famous for equally-impassible equivalent of the Berlin home to one of the best pubs in the country moaning about west ham, an attitude we Crewe: Likeable club with reputation for Wall.Luckily, we play there on a Saturday (The Baum). Club spent 34 years in the find hard to criticise. Will be every bookies’ homegrown players, now being rigorously this year. basement league but haven’t been able to favourite to go up despite being unconvinc - shafted by EPPP and Premier League greed. sit still since and threatened to make the ing since they arrived at this level. Ground incredibly convenient for the sta - Millwall: Fans revel in their reputation as play-offs last season. tion. Keep beating us in important games. hooligans but hate west ham even more than we do so fair play. Managed by Doncaster: Former total bastards of the Shrimper Neil Harris. Relegated last year, early 2000s, now a bit more palatable should mount a challenge for promotion. mainly thanks to the passing of time since we last played them. Soul - Gillingham: less ground, Dave Pen - Belongs up ney is fondly remembered here. north

Fleetwood: Fishing vil - lage famous for the lo - cation of the FIsherman’s Friend (it’s a foul-tasting lozenge). Far too small to have a Football League club, but have a chairman with bags of cash. 25 All At Sea Promotion Special Summer 2015 26

Shrewsbury Town: Moved from arguably cent years with an unofficial link with Spurs. the most character-filled ground in England to one of the least a few years back. A fel - Walsall: Black country side who play in the low promoted club who have previously shadow of the M6. Ground looks like a B&Q, struggled to stay at a higher level, they now but convenient for a train trip. Town famous seem to have plenty of cash behind them player of the year for making saddles and pork scratchings. WITH Daniel Bentley sweeping the board at the POTY awards organised and will be hopeful of consolidating in by the club and the Shrimpers Trust, it’s time for the All At Sea jury League One this time. Wigan Athletic: Fellow favourites along - (basically James) to decide who was the Shrimpers’ best player of a Swindon Town: Grotty Wiltshire town fa - side Sheffield United purely because they memorable 2014/15 campaign. were in the Premier League as recently as mous for a roundabout and for having three 5. Adam Barrett he play-off semi final (both legs) and his Wetherspoons’ in one street. Battered in the 2013, Wigan have fallen hard. Parachute Okay so maybe it’s a little harsh on other late, late goal at Exeter summed up his com - play-off final by Preston, they bought their payments will see them OK for now, but members of the squad who played most of mitment to the cause. way to promotion at our expense in 2012. they’ll need to go up soon as their gates will the year, but Barrett’s reaction to hardly Accused of exploiting the loan system in re - drop sharply at this level. playing upon his return to the club couldn’t 2. Daniel Bentley have been better – he formed part of a de - There’s not a lot that can be said about Dan fence that broke a clean sheet record and Bentley that hasn’t already been said. He contributed to the play-off final win by show - rightly won the club’s Player of the Year ing his usual level of passion. His penalty in award and broke the long-standing consec - he shoot out at Wembley was arguably the utive clean sheet record at Roots Hall. The best of the lot and he deserves his contract penalty shoot out hero is destined for a hTHEREe has aalwaysl beienn a viegw amo ngtst hsponeded in thep best paossiblei mn anner. extension at the club. move to a much higher level, let’s just hope football supporters and pundits that Then Wembley. Jacobson’s free kick was we can keep hold of him for the League One play-offs shouldn’t be allowed. The view lucky and amazing considering Wycombe 4. Ben Coker campaign. However he was just pipped at that you can play 46 matches, finish 10 scored an almost identical goal against us Another solid season for Coker that resulted the post for the All At Sea gong. the previous season, but the players always in him being chosen in the League Two team points above a team and then lose to believed they would get another chance. of the year. Despite an injury early on in the 1. David Worrall them over a knock out game is, at face Joe Pigott became the hero and gave us season, he seemed fitter and stronger upon Worrall’s Southend career started slowly- value, rather ludicrous. all one of the most special goal celebrations his return. His performance at Oxford (three limited to a number of appearances off the Indeed, we have suffered in play-offs in the club’s history. Credit must also go to assists) must be up there with one of the bench in the opening exchanges of the sea - over the years; defeats to Doncaster, Crewe Myles Weston who made the goal. best performances under Phil Brown and he son. However he never looked back after and Burton still remain scarred in the hearts The penalties were awful to watch but will be a valuable asset to the club next sea - getting in the team. of Shrimpers, but the trip to Wembley and Dan Bentley’s save from Sam Wood will son. The Mancunian constantly showed his all the drama that came with it went a long never be boring to re-watch and the the class and chipped in with goals for the team way to covering over those deep scars. emotional scenes at the end were simply un - 3. Michael Timlin at crucial times and countless assists. His I have been critical this season of the forgettable. After a slow start to the season that began goal at Bury won goal of the season, just team and Phil Brown’s selections. But the re - So can we survive in League One? Well with another injury, Tims stamped his influ - days after he sad passing of his son. I would ality is that finishing 5th with 84 points and even with the shock loss of Barry Corr I be - ence on the team over the second half of the expect Worrall to be a regular starter next only missing out on automatic promotion on lieve the team we have is capable of a top campaign. He often doesn’t get the credit he season in League One. the final day surpassed everyone’s expecta - half finish. With a few additions I believe we deserves in the centre of the park, playing a tions given the huge gap between Southend can be quietly confident of a play-off push, role similar to Kevin Maher’s during his time James Falkingham and the top three in March. although of course staying up has to be a at the club, but his heroic performances in @easymorninrebel Whilst I never thought we were a top priority first. three side, and made that point regularly in Southend United do have a tendency to the fanzine over the season, I was always get promoted from the fourth tier to the sec - confident we would finish in the play-offs at ALL AT SEA SUMMER SPECIAL 2015 ond tier in succession, and whilst that may Contributors: Peter Baker, Piers Hewitt, Andrew Roach plus the editorial team. ease. Which we did. It was then always be a little too much to ask this time, the Thanks to Peter Miles and Christopher Nice. going to be about who we played and mak - manner of our win at Wembley proves any - ing the right decisions on the day. thing can happen in this game we all love. Facebook: www.facebook.com/AllAtSeaFanzine The win over Stevenage was gutsy and E-mail: [email protected] totally deserved. The players gave their all James Falkingham Twitter: @allatseafanzine and when the chips were down, they re - @easymorninrebel