Wednesday May 03, 1972 - Division 4
Southend Utd (2) 2 (Johnson 11', Elliott 14')
Gillingham (1) 2 (Wilks 21', Woolcott 85')
Venue: Roots Hall
KO: 7.30
Attendance: 15,854
Southend Utd: J Roberts, R Ternent, A Smith, D Elliott, B Albeson, J Jacques, T Johnson, B Best, B Garner, G Moore, D Booth. Sub: P Taylor.
Gillingham: P Shearing, T Parmenter, D Peach, D Housden, K Hill, D Quirke, D Tydeman, G Knight, A Wilks, R Woolcott, M Bickle (T Watson).
Match Report
Unprecedented scenes marked the end of the last League game of the season at Hall as thousands of fans crowded in front of the stands eager to acclaim the players who had taken United out of Fourth Division. They even forgot their disappointment that Blues did not finish with a good win, as the one point they gave them the runners-up spot.
Chairman Bill Rubin, Manager Arthur Rowley and skipper Joe Jacques, all said a few words and had high praise for the loyalty of the fans who had supported them. The gate of 15,854 was, in itself, sufficient testimony to their loyalty, writes Alf Smirk.
The champagne celebrations in the board-room after the game was a fine gesture by the directors and all the in-people were present, but it was the fans from the terraces who deserved all the praise which was lavished on them.
They certainly did their best to cheer United on to victory, and after taking a two-goal lead through Terry Johnson and Dave Elliott, it looked as though their hopes would be realised.
Johnson's piledriver from 25 yards almost broke the net as it slid in off the underside of the crossbar after only 11 minutes and Elliott sneaked through on the right to slot home the second three minutes later.
But an Alan Wilks shot from 20 yards reduced the Gills' arrears after 21 minutes and equaliser came just five minutes from the end when Roy Woolcott found a way between two defenders to screw the ball home from short range.
But the result did not really matter. Promotion already assured it was the overall performance over the last hectic run-in which the fans wanted to celebrate. It was a run-in of 18 games which produced 27 points and the only defeat during this period was the 2-1 defeat at Roots Hall against Cambridge United when goalkeeper Derek Bellotti was injured.
As United's first, and only, major success in their 45 years of League history, the celebrations were justified. But a football club is only as good and successful as its next match. Which is why all efforts must be made to make certain of not only survival but also success in the Third Division next season.
Manager Rowley is positive he has the nucleus of a successful side for next season's attack on the Third Division promotion race. But even he must know that however well his players have fought this season to bring success, there are one or two positions which need to be strengthened for next season.
He can say what he likes in his programme notes criticising the Press, but people, fans and Press alike are fully entitled to say what they think and not only what they see.
However, not to end the season on a harsh note, I am sure all United fans will join with me in congratulating all the players for their magnificent efforts and with them, the club directors and management included, all the best of luck for a happy and successful season in the Third Division. May we all celebrating just as much a year from now.
Final Table
View attachment 20376
View attachment 20377
View attachment 20378
View attachment 20379
