Memory Lane Back in 1929-30

[The Eternal Optimist]

On a lighter note, Southend were safely in Division 3 (South) and the Rat and his legacy wasn’t even a glint in the old man’s eye.

Lots of teams in the football league who were a powerhouse back then or have since folded and disappeared forever.

 

[Sammy Shrimper]

I see that Tottenham had a good season. Finished below Bradford Park Avenue in Division 2

 

[The Eternal Optimist]

Apparently New Brighton were from Merseyside

 

[C'mon you Shrimpers]

Just looked at their history. Fascinating. As was the New Brighton tower. They played at the tower ground for a while.

 

[rigsby]

Back then was there re-election for the Div 3 North and South?

 

[annie1954]

Apparently New Brighton were from Merseyside

That’s right I was in New Brighton last week in the Wirral

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

On a lighter note, Southend were safely in Division 3 (South) and the Rat and his legacy wasn’t even a glint in the old man’s eye.

Lots of teams in the football league who were a powerhouse back then or have since folded and disappeared forever.

The Div 3S teams seem to have generally fared much better than the 3N ones.

 

[The Eternal Optimist]

The Div 3S teams seem to have generally fared much better than the 3N ones.

Yes I was thinking the same

 

[The Eternal Optimist]

It would be nice to visit some of those clubs if they and we were still in the EFL

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

Surprised no-ones mentioned Cricko yet??

 

[The Eternal Optimist]

Surprised no-ones mentioned Cricko yet??

Was he around in 1929?

 

[B.B.The Legend Lives On.]

Apparently New Brighton were from Merseyside

Wow! New Brighton now that's a blast from the past for quite a few old Shrimpers. Back in our Fourth Division debut season of 1966-67 the Easter fixtures took us to Tranmere Rovers on Good Friday (won 2-1) and then on Saturday we were beaten 4-1 at eventual Champions Stockport County. Inbetween those 2 matches we stayed in a hotel ? in New Brighton but can't remember anything of note that happened while we stayed there, but certainly can remember it being quite lively after the defeat at Stockport and although I was on one of the 2 coaches who remained safe. The Country fans attacked the famous or rather infamous Bonzmobile and tried to tip it onto its side. YES, very scary to say the least but then it was 1967.

 

[Cricko]

Was he around in 1929?

Yeah i was 68 then.

 

[Tinks]

Surprised no-ones mentioned Cricko yet??

Haha - just reading this thread and was going to respond but you beat me to it

 

[The Eternal Optimist]

Wow! New Brighton now that's a blast from the past for quite a few old Shrimpers. Back in our Fourth Division debut season of 1966-67 the Easter fixtures took us to Tranmere Rovers on Good Friday (won 2-1) and then on Saturday we were beaten 4-1 at eventual Champions Stockport County. Inbetween those 2 matches we stayed in a hotel ? in New Brighton but can't remember anything of note that happened while we stayed there, but certainly can remember it being quite lively after the defeat at Stockport and although I was on one of the 2 coaches who remained safe. The Country fans attacked the famous or rather infamous Bonzmobile and tried to tip it onto its side. YES, very scary to say the least but then it was 1967.

Those away days in 1960s/70s seem wild. Did Southend have a good following on the road back then? I’m guessing like today you had the usual suspects plus day trippers?

 

[gatecrasher]

Bradford Park Ave when they were the biggest team in Bradford. South Shields definitely seems like somewhere that should have a football league side

 

[B.B.The Legend Lives On.]

Those away days in 1960s/70s seem wild. Did Southend have a good following on the road back then? I’m guessing like today you had the usual suspects plus day trippers?

Back in those days very few supporters went to away matches, I started going after our first relegation in 1966 aged just 16 when Southend United Supporters Club formed the Youth Section whose Chairman was the late Peter Butler, our support depended as always on how well the team were doing but we would generally take a coach load of between 40 to 50 supporters to the far away matches like Bradford Park Avenue, Barrow, Workington and Exeter often leaving on a Friday night to name a few. If we played at say Q.P.R., Colchester United or Brentford the games being local these places were easy to get to by both road and rail so the support would be greater but certainly NOTHING like it is today. Hitch-hiking was also used back then (rarely seen these days) especially for the mid-week long distance games like Scunthorpe, Halifax, Bradford City etc when quite often there would be less than 6 (yes six) people at any particular match. The one good thing about this was quite often you would be lucky enough to be given a lift back on the team coach which was always a fantastic way to get home quicker and the players were always great to spend time with, it really was an eye opener to say the least. Another thing the players use to do back in those day's was to give the fans who travelled away complimentary tickets which was great and something they always did, (Mike Beesley a friend to this day always gave me a couple).
These days when I travel to some away games (normally if it's a new ground) I am absolutely blown away by the level of support that we have. Yes it is easier to get to most places in the UK these days due to the various road networks but I still find that level of support is incredible for a fifth tier football club and fingers crossed long may it continue.