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Memory Lane 50 Years ago Today- 1971-72 Promotion Season - Wednesday 3 May 1972 - We finish as runners up! - Southend United 2 Gillingham 2
- Thread starter LBBlue
- Start date
LBBlue
Manager⭐
Monday 13th March 1972 - Southend United 4 Crewe Alexandra 1
Crewe were without doubt the worst team in the League as they finished bottom with only 29 points but poor old Barrow who finished with 8 points more than them were not re- elected.
So a Friday - Monday home combination brought us 8 goals and 4 points.
Terry Johnson was injured against Chester so Bernie Lewis came back in with Peter Taylor back on the bench. Crewe had recently changed managers with former Aldershot manager Jimmy Melia taking over. He selected himself for the game for what was to be his last ever League game -the 571st having started at Liverpool where he played 264 times and won 2 England caps.
At the other end of the scale Crewe's only goal was scored by 19 year old midfielder Terry Nicholl who was playing his 7th game. Nicholl, brother of Chris, of course played for us in 1975/76 and 76/77 having joined from Sheffield United. I really liked him as a footballer.
He left after 10 games of the 76/77 season to join Gillingham back in Div 3 where he played for 5 seasons,184 games before departing for the USA where he forged a career as a coach after playing for Wichita Wings in the Major Indoor Soccer League until 1986. He is still coaching in Cincinnati. Dave Smith brought in Micky Laverick from his previous club Mansfield to replace Nicholl.
We spread the goals out with 1 each for Gary Moore, Bernie Lewis, Brian Albeson (penalty) and Billy Best - another 8,121 turned up -just 76 down on Friday's attendance.
I think these 2 following photos are Crewe ( but they may be Aldershot!)
Next up Saturday- a long trip to Darlington but another winnable game.
Crewe were without doubt the worst team in the League as they finished bottom with only 29 points but poor old Barrow who finished with 8 points more than them were not re- elected.
So a Friday - Monday home combination brought us 8 goals and 4 points.
Terry Johnson was injured against Chester so Bernie Lewis came back in with Peter Taylor back on the bench. Crewe had recently changed managers with former Aldershot manager Jimmy Melia taking over. He selected himself for the game for what was to be his last ever League game -the 571st having started at Liverpool where he played 264 times and won 2 England caps.
At the other end of the scale Crewe's only goal was scored by 19 year old midfielder Terry Nicholl who was playing his 7th game. Nicholl, brother of Chris, of course played for us in 1975/76 and 76/77 having joined from Sheffield United. I really liked him as a footballer.
He left after 10 games of the 76/77 season to join Gillingham back in Div 3 where he played for 5 seasons,184 games before departing for the USA where he forged a career as a coach after playing for Wichita Wings in the Major Indoor Soccer League until 1986. He is still coaching in Cincinnati. Dave Smith brought in Micky Laverick from his previous club Mansfield to replace Nicholl.
We spread the goals out with 1 each for Gary Moore, Bernie Lewis, Brian Albeson (penalty) and Billy Best - another 8,121 turned up -just 76 down on Friday's attendance.
I think these 2 following photos are Crewe ( but they may be Aldershot!)
Next up Saturday- a long trip to Darlington but another winnable game.
sufc_statto
Newbie
Monday March 13, 1972 - Division 4
Southend Utd (2) 4 (Moore 38', Lewis 45'+2', Albeson 61' (pen}, Best 72')
Crewe Alexandra (0) 1 (Nicholl 86')
Venue: Roots Hall KO: 7.30
Attendance: 8,121
Southend Utd: D Bellotti, R Ternent, A Smith, D Booth, B Albeson, J Jacques, P Woods, B Best, B Garner, G Moore, B Lewis (P Taylor 80').
Crewe Alexandra: E Adams, T Lowry, M Packer, R Gater, P Higgins (A Tewley 8'), P Leigh, J Melia, A Bradshaw, K East, T Nicholl, G Humphreys.
Match Report
Although making hard work of it at times, there was never really any doubt once they had taken lead that United were going to win this game at Roots Hall on Monday night fairly comfortably. Their three goals to spare at the end might easily have been doubled, writes Alf Smirk.
As it was, they conceded a goal in the closing stages which they could well have done without but still powered to their best win of the season to consolidate their fourth place in the Fourth Division table.
With Terry Johnson and Dave Elliott both on the injured list, Manager Arthur Rowley opted for a 4-3-3 formation which, for half-an-hour, looked like getting United exactly nowhere. Crewe, in fact, up to this stage, were in the game with as much chance as Blues, despite having centre-half Peter Higgins stretchered off after only eight minutes and taken to hospital with a badly gashed leg.
Alan Tewley, Higgins’ replacement, proved to be Crewe's most lively raider. He also missed two of the best chances before either team had scored, prompter-in-chief, Jimmy Melia creating the opportunities.
The fact that these opportunities were created in the first place, gave the impression that the line-up against a team of Crewe's quality was more to give protection and cover at the back than to reinforce up front.
Although short in numbers as a striking force, Bill Garner and Gary Moore formed a twin spearhead that almost made up for this lack, and once United took the lead there was really only one team in it.
Dennis Booth took a quick throw-in on the right in the 37th minute and Bernie Lewis's fast cross was hit first time by Moore to give Ernie Adams no chance of saving.
One or two United chances went adrift before they went further ahead in the second minute of first-half injury time. Billy Best flicked on a Ray Ternent cross and Lewis hammered his shot into the back of the net.
Moore, Garner and Best all went close in the second half and Alex Smith nearly beat Derek Bellotti with a lofted pass back before Blues increased their lead after 61 minutes. Roy Gater handled to keep out a Moore effort and Brian Albeson made no mistake with his spot-kick.
Best completed the Blues' scoring after 72 minutes when he prodded the ball home from short range after Garner had headed back a Peter Woods corner.
Spud Taylor substituted for Lewis for the last 10 minutes.
Crewe made a brave effort over the last five minutes as Albeson headed off the line with Bellotti beaten, but they still got their consolation goal three minutes from the end. Terry Nicholl wormed his way in from the by-line past three defenders before shooting into the net.
If not quite so convincing as most of the 8,121 spectators would have liked, at least this win, following Friday’s victory against Chester should have given Blues plenty of confidence for the last run-in towards promotion.
As long as they keep winning, it doesn't matter what any of the other teams in the race do. The more points United can put under their belts the harder they are going to be to catch.
League Table
Southend Utd (2) 4 (Moore 38', Lewis 45'+2', Albeson 61' (pen}, Best 72')
Crewe Alexandra (0) 1 (Nicholl 86')
Venue: Roots Hall KO: 7.30
Attendance: 8,121
Southend Utd: D Bellotti, R Ternent, A Smith, D Booth, B Albeson, J Jacques, P Woods, B Best, B Garner, G Moore, B Lewis (P Taylor 80').
Crewe Alexandra: E Adams, T Lowry, M Packer, R Gater, P Higgins (A Tewley 8'), P Leigh, J Melia, A Bradshaw, K East, T Nicholl, G Humphreys.
Match Report
Although making hard work of it at times, there was never really any doubt once they had taken lead that United were going to win this game at Roots Hall on Monday night fairly comfortably. Their three goals to spare at the end might easily have been doubled, writes Alf Smirk.
As it was, they conceded a goal in the closing stages which they could well have done without but still powered to their best win of the season to consolidate their fourth place in the Fourth Division table.
With Terry Johnson and Dave Elliott both on the injured list, Manager Arthur Rowley opted for a 4-3-3 formation which, for half-an-hour, looked like getting United exactly nowhere. Crewe, in fact, up to this stage, were in the game with as much chance as Blues, despite having centre-half Peter Higgins stretchered off after only eight minutes and taken to hospital with a badly gashed leg.
Alan Tewley, Higgins’ replacement, proved to be Crewe's most lively raider. He also missed two of the best chances before either team had scored, prompter-in-chief, Jimmy Melia creating the opportunities.
The fact that these opportunities were created in the first place, gave the impression that the line-up against a team of Crewe's quality was more to give protection and cover at the back than to reinforce up front.
Although short in numbers as a striking force, Bill Garner and Gary Moore formed a twin spearhead that almost made up for this lack, and once United took the lead there was really only one team in it.
Dennis Booth took a quick throw-in on the right in the 37th minute and Bernie Lewis's fast cross was hit first time by Moore to give Ernie Adams no chance of saving.
One or two United chances went adrift before they went further ahead in the second minute of first-half injury time. Billy Best flicked on a Ray Ternent cross and Lewis hammered his shot into the back of the net.
Moore, Garner and Best all went close in the second half and Alex Smith nearly beat Derek Bellotti with a lofted pass back before Blues increased their lead after 61 minutes. Roy Gater handled to keep out a Moore effort and Brian Albeson made no mistake with his spot-kick.
Best completed the Blues' scoring after 72 minutes when he prodded the ball home from short range after Garner had headed back a Peter Woods corner.
Spud Taylor substituted for Lewis for the last 10 minutes.
Crewe made a brave effort over the last five minutes as Albeson headed off the line with Bellotti beaten, but they still got their consolation goal three minutes from the end. Terry Nicholl wormed his way in from the by-line past three defenders before shooting into the net.
If not quite so convincing as most of the 8,121 spectators would have liked, at least this win, following Friday’s victory against Chester should have given Blues plenty of confidence for the last run-in towards promotion.
As long as they keep winning, it doesn't matter what any of the other teams in the race do. The more points United can put under their belts the harder they are going to be to catch.
League Table
LBBlue
Manager⭐
You’d think he’d want to support his local non league side……
LBBlue
Manager⭐
Saturday 18th March 1972 Darlington 2 Southend United 3
Darlington were 6th from bottom so we were in a run of fixtures against sides in the lower part of the table and had won there 4-0 in April the previous season when we 3-0 up in 15 minutes.
We were unchanged from Monday. This game was a lot closer but we got the win. Bill Garner got the first after 5 minutes and Billy Best put us 2-0 up 2 minutes after the break.
The pulled a goal back but within a minute an own goal restored our advantage. They got another but we held on for just our 4th away win of the season in 16 games. Away wins were very hard to come by 50 years ago as at the time only Scunthorpe and Grimsby had more than 5.
This game was the last one I couldn't get to - with 13 games to go we were holding on to 4th spot.
The following week we had an away game at Reading on the Wednesday and Aldershot at home 2 days later on Friday evening- 3 games in 7 days, with the following weekend 3 in 4 days at Easter.- No squad rotation in those days!
Darlington were 6th from bottom so we were in a run of fixtures against sides in the lower part of the table and had won there 4-0 in April the previous season when we 3-0 up in 15 minutes.
We were unchanged from Monday. This game was a lot closer but we got the win. Bill Garner got the first after 5 minutes and Billy Best put us 2-0 up 2 minutes after the break.
The pulled a goal back but within a minute an own goal restored our advantage. They got another but we held on for just our 4th away win of the season in 16 games. Away wins were very hard to come by 50 years ago as at the time only Scunthorpe and Grimsby had more than 5.
This game was the last one I couldn't get to - with 13 games to go we were holding on to 4th spot.
The following week we had an away game at Reading on the Wednesday and Aldershot at home 2 days later on Friday evening- 3 games in 7 days, with the following weekend 3 in 4 days at Easter.- No squad rotation in those days!
sufc_statto
Newbie
Saturday March 18, 1972 - Division 4
Darlington (0) 2 (Graham 53', Harding 87')
Southend Utd (1) 3 (Garner 5', Best 48', Peddelty 54' (og))
Venue: Feethams, Darlington. KO: 3.00
Attendance: 2,280
Darlington: P Walters, J Peverell, B Horner, P Carr, G Barker, K Hale, J Wilson (M Wright 46'), P Graham, A Harding, M Peddelty, A Sproates.
Southend Utd: D Bellotti, R Ternent, A Smith, D Booth, B Albeson, J Jacques, B Lewis, B Best, B Garner, G Moore, P Woods. Sub: P Taylor.
Match Report
As the whole object of the exercise was winning, then it must acknowledged that for United it was a case of "mission accomplished" when they returned from Feethams on Saturday with two precious promotion points. But they made hard work of a game which they controlled for most of the time and, instead of winning in a canter, which they looked like doing for at least two long spells of superiority, somehow managed to turn what had been a bit of a bore into a cliff-hanging, nail-biting finish, writes Alf Smirk.
But, although twice going two goals in front and having the added incentive of scoring in the early minutes of each half, United never found the killer punch which would have driven these Quakers into the ground.
In fact, it was during their two spells of undoubted superiority that United. themselves began to go a little off song. Just when they should have been getting on top they began to lose control in midfield, passes went astray and long balls were booted aimlessly for the home defence to pick up at their leisure.
Darlington, with typical Northern doggedness, fought their way into the game soon after Blues went two up in the second half when they pulled a goal back. It took them just a minute to gift United their two-goal advantage back and Blues were well on top again.
As it turned out, Darlington came again near the end, netted three minutes before the completion of normal time then had the Southend fans among the 2,280 spectators on tenterhooks as Cheadle referee, Ralph Lea carried on for three minutes of injury time.
It was a long last six minutes, during which Darlington fought like tigers to salvage a point which they never really deserved. But there were no more slips and the points were safely wrapped up in United’s bag.
Without the services of the injured Dave Elliott and Terry Johnson, United boss, Arthur Rowley played Bernie Lewis on the right wing as extra impetus to the twin spear-head of Bill Garner and Gary Moore. While Lewis showed his appreciation with one of his best displays of the season, Elliott’s ability to calm and control mid-field was sadly missed.
Billy Best got through a lot of work in the middle row of a 4-3-3 line-up but Dennis Booth and Peter Woods both allowed themselves to be hustled out of their stride when Darlington powered forward.
The back four, too, also had more anxious moments than they should have done and it was as well that Brian Albeson, like Joe Jacques, playing against his former club, was in his most commanding mood.
Considering that Garner, Ray Ternent, Booth and Albeson all got knocks at varying stages, it is to theirs and Blues credit that at least they laughed them off and were still fighting at the finish when it was guts more than anything else that were required to stave off the Darlington attempts to grab an equaliser.
Lewis and Moore had both gone close before Garner put United in front five minutes after the start. Best lobbed over a square defence and Garner had space and time to run through and head past goalkeeper Peter Walters.
Despite their dodgy spell in the middle of the half, Blues could well have been three up at half-time without being flattered. Moore had one effort headed off the line by Peverell and Walters must still be wondering how he managed to turn for a corner a short-range pile-driver from Garner.
United had to wait only three minutes into the second half to increase their lead. Moore’s through ball left Best clear and, chased by a couple of defenders, Best took a quick sight of the goal and saw his shot from the edge of the area beat Walters and go in off the inside of a post.
It took Darlington only five more minutes to get into a game which they must just about have been thinking of giving up. Peter Carr, moved into the attack when Mick Wright replaced John Wilson at half-time and thereafter their most dangerous forward, crossed his centre from the left and Peter Graham won the jump in middle to nod past Derek Bellotti.
One more minute and Blues had regained their two-goal advantage. Lewis chipped a quick free-kick into the Darlington box which Best flick-headed on. In attempting to clear, Maurice Peddelty only managed to turn the hall into his own net.
That should have been that from United's point of view but they never developed the killer instinct and Darlington, although rarely looking really dangerous, were allowed more possession than they ought to have been. And these Dunelmians never give up without a fight.
And a fight it turned out to be when they pulled United back to a single goal lead in the 87th minute. Bellotti and Jacques collided when they went for the same ball and, although Bellotti was up and back on his line when a right-wing centre came over, he could not prevent Alan Harding belting the ball into the net from close range.
Those last six minutes seemed like an eternity. Referee Ralph Lea, one of the in the business on this handling, had quite an eventful afternoon. He lectured Darlington's Harding in the first half for over-exhuberance, gave Moore a ticking-off near the end for what looked like a talk-back, booked Woods for blatant time-wasting over the taking of a free-kick trying to get the then-injured Ternent back into action, and called police behind the Southend goal after Bellotti had picked up something which could have been thrown from the crowd.
League Table
Darlington (0) 2 (Graham 53', Harding 87')
Southend Utd (1) 3 (Garner 5', Best 48', Peddelty 54' (og))
Venue: Feethams, Darlington. KO: 3.00
Attendance: 2,280
Darlington: P Walters, J Peverell, B Horner, P Carr, G Barker, K Hale, J Wilson (M Wright 46'), P Graham, A Harding, M Peddelty, A Sproates.
Southend Utd: D Bellotti, R Ternent, A Smith, D Booth, B Albeson, J Jacques, B Lewis, B Best, B Garner, G Moore, P Woods. Sub: P Taylor.
Match Report
As the whole object of the exercise was winning, then it must acknowledged that for United it was a case of "mission accomplished" when they returned from Feethams on Saturday with two precious promotion points. But they made hard work of a game which they controlled for most of the time and, instead of winning in a canter, which they looked like doing for at least two long spells of superiority, somehow managed to turn what had been a bit of a bore into a cliff-hanging, nail-biting finish, writes Alf Smirk.
But, although twice going two goals in front and having the added incentive of scoring in the early minutes of each half, United never found the killer punch which would have driven these Quakers into the ground.
In fact, it was during their two spells of undoubted superiority that United. themselves began to go a little off song. Just when they should have been getting on top they began to lose control in midfield, passes went astray and long balls were booted aimlessly for the home defence to pick up at their leisure.
Darlington, with typical Northern doggedness, fought their way into the game soon after Blues went two up in the second half when they pulled a goal back. It took them just a minute to gift United their two-goal advantage back and Blues were well on top again.
As it turned out, Darlington came again near the end, netted three minutes before the completion of normal time then had the Southend fans among the 2,280 spectators on tenterhooks as Cheadle referee, Ralph Lea carried on for three minutes of injury time.
It was a long last six minutes, during which Darlington fought like tigers to salvage a point which they never really deserved. But there were no more slips and the points were safely wrapped up in United’s bag.
Without the services of the injured Dave Elliott and Terry Johnson, United boss, Arthur Rowley played Bernie Lewis on the right wing as extra impetus to the twin spear-head of Bill Garner and Gary Moore. While Lewis showed his appreciation with one of his best displays of the season, Elliott’s ability to calm and control mid-field was sadly missed.
Billy Best got through a lot of work in the middle row of a 4-3-3 line-up but Dennis Booth and Peter Woods both allowed themselves to be hustled out of their stride when Darlington powered forward.
The back four, too, also had more anxious moments than they should have done and it was as well that Brian Albeson, like Joe Jacques, playing against his former club, was in his most commanding mood.
Considering that Garner, Ray Ternent, Booth and Albeson all got knocks at varying stages, it is to theirs and Blues credit that at least they laughed them off and were still fighting at the finish when it was guts more than anything else that were required to stave off the Darlington attempts to grab an equaliser.
Lewis and Moore had both gone close before Garner put United in front five minutes after the start. Best lobbed over a square defence and Garner had space and time to run through and head past goalkeeper Peter Walters.
Despite their dodgy spell in the middle of the half, Blues could well have been three up at half-time without being flattered. Moore had one effort headed off the line by Peverell and Walters must still be wondering how he managed to turn for a corner a short-range pile-driver from Garner.
United had to wait only three minutes into the second half to increase their lead. Moore’s through ball left Best clear and, chased by a couple of defenders, Best took a quick sight of the goal and saw his shot from the edge of the area beat Walters and go in off the inside of a post.
It took Darlington only five more minutes to get into a game which they must just about have been thinking of giving up. Peter Carr, moved into the attack when Mick Wright replaced John Wilson at half-time and thereafter their most dangerous forward, crossed his centre from the left and Peter Graham won the jump in middle to nod past Derek Bellotti.
One more minute and Blues had regained their two-goal advantage. Lewis chipped a quick free-kick into the Darlington box which Best flick-headed on. In attempting to clear, Maurice Peddelty only managed to turn the hall into his own net.
That should have been that from United's point of view but they never developed the killer instinct and Darlington, although rarely looking really dangerous, were allowed more possession than they ought to have been. And these Dunelmians never give up without a fight.
And a fight it turned out to be when they pulled United back to a single goal lead in the 87th minute. Bellotti and Jacques collided when they went for the same ball and, although Bellotti was up and back on his line when a right-wing centre came over, he could not prevent Alan Harding belting the ball into the net from close range.
Those last six minutes seemed like an eternity. Referee Ralph Lea, one of the in the business on this handling, had quite an eventful afternoon. He lectured Darlington's Harding in the first half for over-exhuberance, gave Moore a ticking-off near the end for what looked like a talk-back, booked Woods for blatant time-wasting over the taking of a free-kick trying to get the then-injured Ternent back into action, and called police behind the Southend goal after Bellotti had picked up something which could have been thrown from the crowd.
League Table
ozzie
Manager
IIRC,there is a great photo of some of our supporters at the Darlo game in the 72-73 handbook,with Fertie at the front. Sadly i was not in that photo because at that moment they took it i was with a few other fans chasing some Darlo fans around the ground!!
Feethams was a strange ground you paid to get in(iirc) then walk around a cricket pitch to get to the football ground.
A few of us got in early(maybe 5) and stood in the Darlo end.Think it was called the TIN SHED...but we slowly moved away to the side of the ground as more Darlo fans arrived.
Not sure if anybody was with us (on the Sh Zone?), but before the game, maybe 6-8 of us went into the town.there was a market on and some of the older lads wanted a beer.I did not drink being 15, but went with them.
Found this pub and we all went down into the cellar bar with their drinks.
In the cellar was a big Union Jack hanging on the wall,one of the lads siad "we are having that" and took it down.I was sitting alone on a round table with an empty beer bottle on it making it look like i had a drink...then down came two evil looking Hells Angels ..they started going mad,we were in their" chapter room" or whatever it was..where is our F-ing flag and one of the picked up the bottle on my table and started banging it on my table.
My head kept going up and down every time he banged the bottle on my table hoping he was not gong to use it on me. The flag was given back and we were told to F-OFF and dont come back.We left that boozer like good little boys.But it was one of the more memorable away games that season.
Feethams was a strange ground you paid to get in(iirc) then walk around a cricket pitch to get to the football ground.
A few of us got in early(maybe 5) and stood in the Darlo end.Think it was called the TIN SHED...but we slowly moved away to the side of the ground as more Darlo fans arrived.
Not sure if anybody was with us (on the Sh Zone?), but before the game, maybe 6-8 of us went into the town.there was a market on and some of the older lads wanted a beer.I did not drink being 15, but went with them.
Found this pub and we all went down into the cellar bar with their drinks.
In the cellar was a big Union Jack hanging on the wall,one of the lads siad "we are having that" and took it down.I was sitting alone on a round table with an empty beer bottle on it making it look like i had a drink...then down came two evil looking Hells Angels ..they started going mad,we were in their" chapter room" or whatever it was..where is our F-ing flag and one of the picked up the bottle on my table and started banging it on my table.
My head kept going up and down every time he banged the bottle on my table hoping he was not gong to use it on me. The flag was given back and we were told to F-OFF and dont come back.We left that boozer like good little boys.But it was one of the more memorable away games that season.
LBBlue
Manager⭐
Wednesday 22nd March -Reading 1 Southend United 4
So the games were coming thick and fast. This game should have been played on Saturday 5th February but Reading were in the 4th Round pf the cup losing only 2-1 to FA Cup Holders and eventual runners up Arsenal in front of a crowd of 25,756.
With my old Ford Anglia this should have a relatively easy trip from Southampton with shrimpers @mfurok, Richard Skeet and my Torquay supporting mate Chris on board, but I misjudged how long it would take to get out of Southampton and we only just made kick off!
They had been relegated to the Fourth Division for the first time the previous season and were regular opponents until we got relegated in 65/66. They still fancied they could climb into the top 4 - well until this result. They had started the season OK but were pretty inconsistent. They still had a core of the team that got them relegated.
Their most remarkable player though was 22 year old goalkeeper Steve Death who they had signed for a club record £20,000 from West Ham in 1970. What was remarkable was that he was only 5ft 7 1/2 tall. He didn't have a very good game against us but went on to clock up 537 first team games for Reading and set a record of 1103 minutes without conceding a goal in 1979 when he also kept 26 clean sheets. Sadly he was only 54 when he passed away in 2003. Reading fans saw him as a true club legend.
We went into the game unchanged, Garner and Moore were playing up front with King Billy helping himself to his second hat-trick of the season from deeper in midfield. For the 3rd time in 4 matches we scored 4 goals and the run to promotion was now in top gear.
There was a pretty decent turn out from us in the crowd of 6,045.
Not much time for rest and recuperation -the next game though was the day after tomorrow -- Home to Aldershot.
So the games were coming thick and fast. This game should have been played on Saturday 5th February but Reading were in the 4th Round pf the cup losing only 2-1 to FA Cup Holders and eventual runners up Arsenal in front of a crowd of 25,756.
With my old Ford Anglia this should have a relatively easy trip from Southampton with shrimpers @mfurok, Richard Skeet and my Torquay supporting mate Chris on board, but I misjudged how long it would take to get out of Southampton and we only just made kick off!
They had been relegated to the Fourth Division for the first time the previous season and were regular opponents until we got relegated in 65/66. They still fancied they could climb into the top 4 - well until this result. They had started the season OK but were pretty inconsistent. They still had a core of the team that got them relegated.
Their most remarkable player though was 22 year old goalkeeper Steve Death who they had signed for a club record £20,000 from West Ham in 1970. What was remarkable was that he was only 5ft 7 1/2 tall. He didn't have a very good game against us but went on to clock up 537 first team games for Reading and set a record of 1103 minutes without conceding a goal in 1979 when he also kept 26 clean sheets. Sadly he was only 54 when he passed away in 2003. Reading fans saw him as a true club legend.
We went into the game unchanged, Garner and Moore were playing up front with King Billy helping himself to his second hat-trick of the season from deeper in midfield. For the 3rd time in 4 matches we scored 4 goals and the run to promotion was now in top gear.
There was a pretty decent turn out from us in the crowd of 6,045.
Not much time for rest and recuperation -the next game though was the day after tomorrow -- Home to Aldershot.
sufc_statto
Newbie
Wednesday March 22, 1972 - Division 4
Reading (1) 1 (Chappell 8')
Southend Utd (2) 4 (Best 2', 58', 68', Garner 40')
Venue: Elm Park, Reading. KO: 7.30
Attendance: 6,197
Reading: S Death, W Dixon, S Morgan, B Wagstaff, P Archer, T Wagstaff, R Flannigan, G Cumming, P Harman (M Swain), L Chappell, D Habbin.
Southend Utd: D Bellotti, A Smith, R Ternent, D Booth, B Albeson, J Jacques, B Lewis, B Best, B Garner, G Moore, P Woods. Sub: P Taylor.
Match Report
What a transformation! Although United had won at Darlington four days previously, nobody would have recognised them as the same side that thrashed Reading at Elm Park. Although still showing the occasional weakness at the back, this did not matter as, on the one hand, goalkeeper Derek Bellotti pulled out at least four magnificent saves, and, on the other, most of the half chances that presented themselves were turned into goals, writes Alf Smirk.
Reading were a side vastly superior to Darlington. They were quite nippy up front, put their moves together very well and created chances, as proved by Bellotti’s calls into action. But Bellotti was again well protected by an in-form Brian Albeson.
The homesters had weaknesses at the back which United exploited at every opportunity. The result: A Billy Best hat-trick plus one from Bill Garner and one or two near misses.
Once again Blues got a flying start. Garner had already been through and mis-hit his shot in the first minute before they took the lead in the second. Brian Albeson's free-kick was headed on by Gary Moore, Garner’s challenge upset the home defence and Best banged the ball in from close range.
Reading were on terms six minutes later, once again from a set position. Gordon Cumming floated across a corner and Les Chappell headed past Bellotti and a packed United defence. But who can complain when, in the 40th minute, Garner rose above home 'keeper Stephen Death to head a Peter Woods' in-swinging corner into the net.
A minute later, from an identical situation, Garner's header hit the foot of a post, and just before the interval, Bernie Lewis had an angled drive tipped over the bar.
United made further inroads into the Reading defence when Best increased the lead after 58 minutes. Moore challenged for a Garner through-ball, Death cleared badly and Best latched on to the gift to bang ball straight back into the net.
Lewis, who had another good game, was booked by Bristol referee, Harry New, for an impetuous tackle, but it only reflected United's fighting quality.
Bellotti, who had already made a tremendous save from Chappell, then earned his bonus with magnificent saves from Cummins and Tony Wagstaff.
Blues made the promotion points safe when Garner headed a Woods' corner against the cross-bar and Best cracked in the rebound for his second hat-trick of the season.
Reading introduced Malcolm Swain for Peter Harman and never gave up the fight, but Bellotti crowned a great display with yet another out-of-this-world save from Swain in the dying minutes.
This, from United, was definitely a promotion performance!
League Table
Reading (1) 1 (Chappell 8')
Southend Utd (2) 4 (Best 2', 58', 68', Garner 40')
Venue: Elm Park, Reading. KO: 7.30
Attendance: 6,197
Reading: S Death, W Dixon, S Morgan, B Wagstaff, P Archer, T Wagstaff, R Flannigan, G Cumming, P Harman (M Swain), L Chappell, D Habbin.
Southend Utd: D Bellotti, A Smith, R Ternent, D Booth, B Albeson, J Jacques, B Lewis, B Best, B Garner, G Moore, P Woods. Sub: P Taylor.
Match Report
What a transformation! Although United had won at Darlington four days previously, nobody would have recognised them as the same side that thrashed Reading at Elm Park. Although still showing the occasional weakness at the back, this did not matter as, on the one hand, goalkeeper Derek Bellotti pulled out at least four magnificent saves, and, on the other, most of the half chances that presented themselves were turned into goals, writes Alf Smirk.
Reading were a side vastly superior to Darlington. They were quite nippy up front, put their moves together very well and created chances, as proved by Bellotti’s calls into action. But Bellotti was again well protected by an in-form Brian Albeson.
The homesters had weaknesses at the back which United exploited at every opportunity. The result: A Billy Best hat-trick plus one from Bill Garner and one or two near misses.
Once again Blues got a flying start. Garner had already been through and mis-hit his shot in the first minute before they took the lead in the second. Brian Albeson's free-kick was headed on by Gary Moore, Garner’s challenge upset the home defence and Best banged the ball in from close range.
Reading were on terms six minutes later, once again from a set position. Gordon Cumming floated across a corner and Les Chappell headed past Bellotti and a packed United defence. But who can complain when, in the 40th minute, Garner rose above home 'keeper Stephen Death to head a Peter Woods' in-swinging corner into the net.
A minute later, from an identical situation, Garner's header hit the foot of a post, and just before the interval, Bernie Lewis had an angled drive tipped over the bar.
United made further inroads into the Reading defence when Best increased the lead after 58 minutes. Moore challenged for a Garner through-ball, Death cleared badly and Best latched on to the gift to bang ball straight back into the net.
Lewis, who had another good game, was booked by Bristol referee, Harry New, for an impetuous tackle, but it only reflected United's fighting quality.
Bellotti, who had already made a tremendous save from Chappell, then earned his bonus with magnificent saves from Cummins and Tony Wagstaff.
Blues made the promotion points safe when Garner headed a Woods' corner against the cross-bar and Best cracked in the rebound for his second hat-trick of the season.
Reading introduced Malcolm Swain for Peter Harman and never gave up the fight, but Bellotti crowned a great display with yet another out-of-this-world save from Swain in the dying minutes.
This, from United, was definitely a promotion performance!
League Table
ozzie
Manager
If you read what FERTIE once wrote in the Roots Hall Roar..about his 8-10 most embarrasing moments watching the Blues,number one was standing next St Johns ambulance workers thinking they were police officers ,who he thought would protect him .
IIRC,this could have been the time(not sure though if Fertie was with us),when myself and C.D went by train from London to the game.
We decided to go into the side of Elm Park ground,not knowing that Readings "end" was like Cowshed Exeter,Kippax Man.City or Longside Burnley..on the side.Where we got "sussed" out and late into the second half got onto the side of the pitch to get away from a mob of RFC fans...who followed us all along the pitch,until we got to the wall separating the RFC side and the end behind the goal.Where the same thing happened,they were ST Js workers.Not sure if Fertie was on the side of the pitch with us,but Fertie was larger than life and once "met"never to be forgotten.
But we got back to London later with no problems.
IIRC,this could have been the time(not sure though if Fertie was with us),when myself and C.D went by train from London to the game.
We decided to go into the side of Elm Park ground,not knowing that Readings "end" was like Cowshed Exeter,Kippax Man.City or Longside Burnley..on the side.Where we got "sussed" out and late into the second half got onto the side of the pitch to get away from a mob of RFC fans...who followed us all along the pitch,until we got to the wall separating the RFC side and the end behind the goal.Where the same thing happened,they were ST Js workers.Not sure if Fertie was on the side of the pitch with us,but Fertie was larger than life and once "met"never to be forgotten.
But we got back to London later with no problems.
Billy Bests boot laces
President⭐⭐🦐
Simon C from Southend ( you know him )was there that night. He had a few scary moments, may have even been with you?.
LBBlue
Manager⭐
Friday 24th March 1972 - Southend United 1 Aldershot 0
So less than 48 hours after the end of the Reading game we were back in action at Roots Hall. We had already played Aldershot 3 times at the start of the season and had not beaten them. Despite them being 18th in the league, they were the defensive draw specialists. They had lost only 12 of their 34 games with 15 draws. They ended the season with 22 draws and only 15 defeats in 17th place helping us out by taking points off Grimsby and Lincoln
We were again unchanged for the 4th game in 12 days - a grueling time for these 11 players who probably didn't get back from Darlington and Reading till gone midnight and were now turning out again.
The Southend fans now started to turn out again in big numbers - 12,181, around 4,000 more than the previous two home games and the players didn't let them down with the 1-0 victory in a hard fought game. Gary Moore headed in the only goal 5 minutes before half time from a Peter Woods free kick.
So the 7th game without defeat and after the weekend we were now 3rd in the table just 2 points behind leaders Scunthorpe. A week's rest before Easter Weekend and 3 big games in 4 days- at home to 11th place Doncaster and away to 2nd place Lincoln, who were undefeated at home, and 7th place Southport who'd only lost 1. All to play for!
So less than 48 hours after the end of the Reading game we were back in action at Roots Hall. We had already played Aldershot 3 times at the start of the season and had not beaten them. Despite them being 18th in the league, they were the defensive draw specialists. They had lost only 12 of their 34 games with 15 draws. They ended the season with 22 draws and only 15 defeats in 17th place helping us out by taking points off Grimsby and Lincoln
We were again unchanged for the 4th game in 12 days - a grueling time for these 11 players who probably didn't get back from Darlington and Reading till gone midnight and were now turning out again.
The Southend fans now started to turn out again in big numbers - 12,181, around 4,000 more than the previous two home games and the players didn't let them down with the 1-0 victory in a hard fought game. Gary Moore headed in the only goal 5 minutes before half time from a Peter Woods free kick.
So the 7th game without defeat and after the weekend we were now 3rd in the table just 2 points behind leaders Scunthorpe. A week's rest before Easter Weekend and 3 big games in 4 days- at home to 11th place Doncaster and away to 2nd place Lincoln, who were undefeated at home, and 7th place Southport who'd only lost 1. All to play for!
Last edited:
sufc_statto
Newbie
Friday March 24, 1972 - Division 4
Southend Utd (1) 1 (Moore 40')
Aldershot (0) 0
Venue: Roots Hall KO: 7.30
Attendance: 12,181
Southend Utd: D Bellotti, R Ternent, A Smith, D Booth, B Albeson, J Jacques, B Lewis, B Best, B Garner, G Moore, P Woods. Sub: D Elliott.
Aldershot: G Gurr, R Walden, L Walker, R Joslyn, R Dean, H Bennett, D Brown, R Davidson, J Grummett, M Brodie, J Storrie.
Match Report
Having watched Southend United for so many years, I am now convinced that after this display at Roots Hall on Friday night they must the originators of the old adage about the parson's egg. Although coming through adequately if not safely with the two points most essential to their Fourth Division promotion purge, this must the addled part of the egg, with the best still to come.
But while promotion cannot be gained on a wing and a prayer, the fact must be faced that if Blues can survive a mediocre performance like this one and still pocket a couple of points, then once they play the way their supporters know they can, promotion must still be a distinct possibility, writes Alf Smirk.
What went wrong? Who knows! I still think United continue to a 4-3-3 line-up with 4-2-4 players. But the man who has the right answer at the right time is Manager Arthur Rowley. "Five wins in succession: 13 points from a possible 14, all with a 4-3-3 formation: where have we gone wrong?"
And of course, he is perfectly right! We have a tacit agreement. I don't pick his teams just as long as he doesn't write my stories And at the moment Rowley is well in front on points!
I still think we have so much talent that we could murder some of these Fourth Division teams rather than content not to lose to them. Mind you, just as long as we don’t lose any of the next, and last, 11 matches, United are as good as in the Third Division.
But I’m sure most the 12,181 spectators present on Friday would agree with me that this was one which United made much harder than they ought to have done.
While the fact that the end justified the means was sufficient consolation for one game, this justification must be carried on for the next 11. And while I am the most contradictive of characters by being the most optimistic doubtful Thomas who has ever walked, at the moment, my doubts exceed my optimism, if not my hopes.
United had almost complete control of the first half, Gerry Gurr making a tremendous save from Bill Garner after only 10 minutes and Blues having to wait until five minutes before half-time to take the lead. Peter Woods floated a long free-kick to the far corner ot the area and Gary Moore was given plenty of space to head in off a post.
Doubts were expressed as to whether the ball had actually crossed the line, by which time referee Keith Walker from Ashford had already marked the score in his book and restarted play.
Right on half-time, Jim Storrie was left clear after Derek Bellotti had been drawn out of goal, but with all the time in the world at his disposal, he hit his first effort 10 yards wide of an open net.
The game could have been wrapped up five minutes after the interval, but Billy Best’s header from a Bernie Lewis corner was a foot too high as it cleared the crossbar.
From then on, it was Aldershot who called the tune. Blues lost all control in midfield, became ragged at the back and ineffectual up front. And the award of champagne, transistor radio and £10 which went to Bellotti for being the outstanding player of the game tells its own story.
Bellotti's best effort was a magnificent save from Storrie’s header after 59 minutes but even was well beaten when Ray Ternent, 10 minutes later, headed a Murray Brodie piledriver off the line.
From then on, it was a question not whether United increased their lead but whether Aldershot could get a consolation point they fought for so hard. Fortunately, Blues survived at the back even if they never looked dangerous any more up front.
League Table
Southend Utd (1) 1 (Moore 40')
Aldershot (0) 0
Venue: Roots Hall KO: 7.30
Attendance: 12,181
Southend Utd: D Bellotti, R Ternent, A Smith, D Booth, B Albeson, J Jacques, B Lewis, B Best, B Garner, G Moore, P Woods. Sub: D Elliott.
Aldershot: G Gurr, R Walden, L Walker, R Joslyn, R Dean, H Bennett, D Brown, R Davidson, J Grummett, M Brodie, J Storrie.
Match Report
Having watched Southend United for so many years, I am now convinced that after this display at Roots Hall on Friday night they must the originators of the old adage about the parson's egg. Although coming through adequately if not safely with the two points most essential to their Fourth Division promotion purge, this must the addled part of the egg, with the best still to come.
But while promotion cannot be gained on a wing and a prayer, the fact must be faced that if Blues can survive a mediocre performance like this one and still pocket a couple of points, then once they play the way their supporters know they can, promotion must still be a distinct possibility, writes Alf Smirk.
What went wrong? Who knows! I still think United continue to a 4-3-3 line-up with 4-2-4 players. But the man who has the right answer at the right time is Manager Arthur Rowley. "Five wins in succession: 13 points from a possible 14, all with a 4-3-3 formation: where have we gone wrong?"
And of course, he is perfectly right! We have a tacit agreement. I don't pick his teams just as long as he doesn't write my stories And at the moment Rowley is well in front on points!
I still think we have so much talent that we could murder some of these Fourth Division teams rather than content not to lose to them. Mind you, just as long as we don’t lose any of the next, and last, 11 matches, United are as good as in the Third Division.
But I’m sure most the 12,181 spectators present on Friday would agree with me that this was one which United made much harder than they ought to have done.
While the fact that the end justified the means was sufficient consolation for one game, this justification must be carried on for the next 11. And while I am the most contradictive of characters by being the most optimistic doubtful Thomas who has ever walked, at the moment, my doubts exceed my optimism, if not my hopes.
United had almost complete control of the first half, Gerry Gurr making a tremendous save from Bill Garner after only 10 minutes and Blues having to wait until five minutes before half-time to take the lead. Peter Woods floated a long free-kick to the far corner ot the area and Gary Moore was given plenty of space to head in off a post.
Doubts were expressed as to whether the ball had actually crossed the line, by which time referee Keith Walker from Ashford had already marked the score in his book and restarted play.
Right on half-time, Jim Storrie was left clear after Derek Bellotti had been drawn out of goal, but with all the time in the world at his disposal, he hit his first effort 10 yards wide of an open net.
The game could have been wrapped up five minutes after the interval, but Billy Best’s header from a Bernie Lewis corner was a foot too high as it cleared the crossbar.
From then on, it was Aldershot who called the tune. Blues lost all control in midfield, became ragged at the back and ineffectual up front. And the award of champagne, transistor radio and £10 which went to Bellotti for being the outstanding player of the game tells its own story.
Bellotti's best effort was a magnificent save from Storrie’s header after 59 minutes but even was well beaten when Ray Ternent, 10 minutes later, headed a Murray Brodie piledriver off the line.
From then on, it was a question not whether United increased their lead but whether Aldershot could get a consolation point they fought for so hard. Fortunately, Blues survived at the back even if they never looked dangerous any more up front.
League Table
LBBlue
Manager⭐
Alf Smirk gives no mention at all of the fact that the same 11 players were playing just 48 hours before away at Reading.
So the Reading game ended about 9.15. By the time they were showered and back on the coach say 10pm. Reading to Southend before the M25 - at least 2 hours. So by the time they got back to Roots Hall and then to their homes probably 1am and asleep by ???
So they have a recovery day what's left of Thursday and another match at 7.30 Friday evening. Is it any wonder they weren't at their best.!!
So the Reading game ended about 9.15. By the time they were showered and back on the coach say 10pm. Reading to Southend before the M25 - at least 2 hours. So by the time they got back to Roots Hall and then to their homes probably 1am and asleep by ???
So they have a recovery day what's left of Thursday and another match at 7.30 Friday evening. Is it any wonder they weren't at their best.!!
Mr Browns Ghost
Youth Team
this thread is brilliant thank you
westie
Exile from Cambridgeshire🦐
I think all the photos are from the Crewe Alexandra game. You can see they are wearing their customary Man Utd style socks in all of the photos.
LBBlue
Manager⭐
Yep . The photo of the Aldershot match at the end of the match report proves that. It's a great photo : 9 Aldershot defenders in that photo that looks as if it was a shot from Dennis Booth on the far right of the photo. I presume its the moon and not the ball at the top of the photo!
The photos come from Match Programmes and don't always tell you which match they are from
Zeuss
Manager
Sorry, but you’ve got it wrong with your “week’s rest before Easter “.
There was another important 1st team fixture: Essex Professional Cup Final,first leg,v Chelmsford at New Writtle Street on Monday 27th March,kick-off 7.30 pm.We won 1-0, I don’t have full details but our line-up,despite our busy promotion push,was very close to full-strength:
Chelmsford City : L.Taylor,D.Lawrence,V.Gomershall,J.Stevenson,W.Foster,P.Delia,D.Horrey,P.Ferry,M.Loughton,T.Price,B.Thornley. Sub: L.Tomkins
Southend United :
J.Roberts,D.Hogg,A.Smith,D.Elliott,B.Albeson,D.Barnett,T.Johnson,B.Best,G.Moore,R.Ternent, P.
Taylor. Sub: S.Dyer
Chelmsford were the country’s top non-league team at that time.They won the Southern League that season , ahead of Hereford,and were the Essex Professional Cup holders, having beaten us 4-3 in the 70-71 Final.
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