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The PL League Boss⭐⭐🦐
Here's Episode No. 7 of Season 1931-32 as was printed in the Southend v Bristol Rovers programme, I hope I haven't overdosed you all.
Extracts from "The Forgotten Years of the Kursaal" by Peter William Baker
No. 7 THE BIGGEST ATTRACTION IN THE THIRD DIVISION
Record gates at Clapton Orient and Fulham the latter being nearly 30,000 showed what an attractive side the Blues were, and the word never spoken before was being mentioned, promotion.
SOUTHEND UNITED SUPPORTERS CLUB
The committee was delighted with the outcome of the rally on Saturday which resulted in the enrolling of 187 new members and 60 renewals. The chairman would like to thank all those who wrote to him enclosing subscriptions and also the many anonymous donors. It is the committee�s ambition to make Southend the largest Supporters Club in the Country. In conjunction with the club excursions are being run to Norwich by the L.N.E. Railway coaches and motor coaches.
From the Southend Standard 22nd October 1931
The London and North Eastern Railway Company announce that cheap tickets will be issued to Norwich by the 9.17 a.m. train from Southend return fare 13s 6d (67.5p)
Saturday 24th October 1931
NORWICH CITY 1-1 SOUTHEND UNITED
Match No.12 Division 3 (South)
Norwich were in eighth position, five points behind the Blues, at home they had won three, drawn two and lost one, there one home defeat being against Bournemouth 1-2. A crowd of 16,500 were present at Norwich expectant of another dazzling display by the Blues but in all honesty they had an off day. The first half was devoid of goals and fairly even, but in the second half Norwich took the lead, to the excitement of the home supporters hoping they could be the first side to defeat the Blues. However a bit of luck proved the United�s saviour, Jones in moving forwards hit the ball with his arm, the linesman flagged, the Norwich players stopped and appealed but the referee waved play on, the ball was crossed for Shankly who missed but the ball ran on for Crompton who equalised. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Norwich and their Supporters and the remaining exchanges were of a scrappy nature. Southend were twelve games unbeaten and top of the league. Team; Whitelaw; French and Robinson; Dixon, Wilson and Donoven; Barnett, Jones, Shankly, Thomson and Crompton
London Combination: After three heavy losses the Junior Blues pulled off a smart victory over West Ham at the Kursaal by 2-1, with both goals coming from Buck Fryer, a local amateur. It was an excellent result considering that West Ham fielded seven players with first Division experience in front of a crowd of about 3,000, and put the Reserves up to seventh place in the Combination table.
Other Division Three (South) results on Saturday24th October 1931
Bournemouth 0-2 Gillingham
Brighton 2-0 Reading
Bristol Rovers 2-4 Exeter City
Crystal Palace 1-1 Luton Town
Clapton Orient 1-1 Thames
Mansfield 2-0 Northampton
Q.P.R. 1-1 Coventry City
Swindon Town 2-2 Fulham
Torquay United 1-1 Brentford
Watford 3-0 Cardiff City
THE ENTERTAINMENT TAX
For the reserve matches owing to the increase of the entertainment tax next Saturday will see the last sixpenny admission. From Monday next admission to the London Combination matches will be sevenpence with a charge of 1s 5d for the centre stand, the other prices remaining the same. There will be no increase to first team matches, except that in future boys will have to pay sevenpence instead of sixpence.
From the Southend Standard 5th November 1931
Saturday 31st October 1931
SOUTHEND UNITED 2-0 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALB.
Match No. 13 Division 3 (South)
Brighton were fifth in the League, three points behind the Blues but having played a game more, they actually had a better home record but away they had only won two and drawn three of their seven away games. Another encouraging crowd of 11,000 spectators were in attendance at the Kursaal for the early, 2.50 kick off, and they witnessed an entertaining game which from start to finish maintained a fast pace and no quarter was asked for or given. Both sides produced some excellent football but Southend just about had the superiority. The first goal came three minutes before the break, when Donoven leaped high to get his head to a corner kick the goalkeeper got a hand to it but Thomson was running in apply the finishing touch. Shankly was increasingly becoming a marked man as a result of the Blues unbeaten run, and was given little space and was often roughly treated. It was about three or four minutes before the end when Shankly had been injured in a collision and was being tended by the back he had collided with, but the referee waved play on. With the back out of position Barnett raced forward unopposed and crossed for Crompton to score the second. While the goal itself was unfortunate in itself, a two goal margin was certainly well merited by the United. Southend were thirteen games unbeaten and top of the league. Team: Whitelaw; French and Robinson; Dixon, Wilson and Donoven; Barnett, Jones, Shankly, Thomson and Crompton.
London Combination: The reserves with six amateurs in their ranks lost to Queens Park Rangers 1-3 at the White City which dropped the Junior Blues to ninth in the table.
Other Results
Brentford 3-0 Clapton Orient
Cardiff City 1-3 Crystal Palace
Coventry City 1-1 Bristol Rovers
Exeter City 3-1 Torquay United
Fulham 4-0 Norwich City
Gillingham 1-0 Q.P.R.
Luton Town 1-0 Bournemouth
Northampton 1-1 Watford
Reading 4-1 Mansfield Town
Thames 1-1 Swindon Town
Div 3 (South)
31st October 1931....P....W....D....L....F .....A....P
1 SOUTHEND UTD....13....8....5....0....26....10....21
2 Brentford...........13....9....2....2....27....14....20
3 Fulham.......... ...13....8....2....3....34....22....18
4 Watford ............13....8....2....3....36....23....18
5 Crystal Palace......13....6....5....2....27 ....18....17
6 Exeter City.........14....7....2....5....33 ....28....16
7 Brighton & Hove...14....6....4....4....18 ,,,,17....16
8 Luton Town.........14....7....1....6....24....19....15
9 Coventry City.......13....6....3....4....30....26....15
A new goalkeeper was signed by Mr. Bernie due to Billy Moore's injury and the fact that Whitelaw was also in the wars. He was Peter McKenna (not to be confused with Tom McKenna who had played in goal for the Blues in 1929-30). The new goalkeeper had been with Chelsea since 1924 and had made sixty six appearance for the Pensioners, and kept twenty five clean sheets in those games. He had appeared at the Kursaal several times for Chelsea reserves. He was signed initially on a month's loan but this could be extended for the season if required.
APPERANCES AND GOALSCORERS
With thirteen games gone no less than eight players had played in all thirteen, and only fourteen players used in total, which shows what a settled side it was:
Appearances:
Jack French, Dave Robinson, Tom Dixon, Joe Wilson, Dickie Donoven, Mickey Jones and Arthur Crompton 13 each; Jimmy Shankly 10; Tot Pike 8; Billy Moore 7; Dave Whitelaw 6; Arthur Thomson 5; and Fred Baron 3.
Goalscorers:
Jimmy Shankly 7; Arthur Crompton 6; Fred Barnett and Arthur Thomson 3 each; Fred Baron and Jack French 2 each; Mickey Jones, Tot Pike and Joe Wilson 1 each. (26 in all).
SOUTHEND SUPPORTERS CLUB
Last Saturday�s rally at the Woodgrange Drive entrance produced 59 new members and 36 renewals. The total number now enrolled is 1,700. The ladies committee are breaking fresh ground in holding a rummage sale on November 26th at the Southchurch Parish Hall. The monster whist Drive, the most popular event held by the Club has been fixed for December 16th. Excursions are run to every away match and the Hon. Secretary will be pleased to give particulars to any intended traveller.
From the Southend Standard 5th November 1931.
Forthcoming Matches:
Saturday 7th November 1931.....MANSFIELD v SOUTHEND UNITED...Division 3 (South)
Saturday 7th November 1931.....Southend United v Southampton....London Combination
Saturday 14th November 1931...SOUTHEND UTD v WATFORD........Division 3 (South)
Saturday 14th November 1931....Crystal Palace v Southend United...London Combination
DoDtS
Extracts from "The Forgotten Years of the Kursaal" by Peter William Baker
No. 7 THE BIGGEST ATTRACTION IN THE THIRD DIVISION
Record gates at Clapton Orient and Fulham the latter being nearly 30,000 showed what an attractive side the Blues were, and the word never spoken before was being mentioned, promotion.
SOUTHEND UNITED SUPPORTERS CLUB
The committee was delighted with the outcome of the rally on Saturday which resulted in the enrolling of 187 new members and 60 renewals. The chairman would like to thank all those who wrote to him enclosing subscriptions and also the many anonymous donors. It is the committee�s ambition to make Southend the largest Supporters Club in the Country. In conjunction with the club excursions are being run to Norwich by the L.N.E. Railway coaches and motor coaches.
From the Southend Standard 22nd October 1931
The London and North Eastern Railway Company announce that cheap tickets will be issued to Norwich by the 9.17 a.m. train from Southend return fare 13s 6d (67.5p)
Saturday 24th October 1931
NORWICH CITY 1-1 SOUTHEND UNITED
Match No.12 Division 3 (South)
Norwich were in eighth position, five points behind the Blues, at home they had won three, drawn two and lost one, there one home defeat being against Bournemouth 1-2. A crowd of 16,500 were present at Norwich expectant of another dazzling display by the Blues but in all honesty they had an off day. The first half was devoid of goals and fairly even, but in the second half Norwich took the lead, to the excitement of the home supporters hoping they could be the first side to defeat the Blues. However a bit of luck proved the United�s saviour, Jones in moving forwards hit the ball with his arm, the linesman flagged, the Norwich players stopped and appealed but the referee waved play on, the ball was crossed for Shankly who missed but the ball ran on for Crompton who equalised. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Norwich and their Supporters and the remaining exchanges were of a scrappy nature. Southend were twelve games unbeaten and top of the league. Team; Whitelaw; French and Robinson; Dixon, Wilson and Donoven; Barnett, Jones, Shankly, Thomson and Crompton
London Combination: After three heavy losses the Junior Blues pulled off a smart victory over West Ham at the Kursaal by 2-1, with both goals coming from Buck Fryer, a local amateur. It was an excellent result considering that West Ham fielded seven players with first Division experience in front of a crowd of about 3,000, and put the Reserves up to seventh place in the Combination table.
Other Division Three (South) results on Saturday24th October 1931
Bournemouth 0-2 Gillingham
Brighton 2-0 Reading
Bristol Rovers 2-4 Exeter City
Crystal Palace 1-1 Luton Town
Clapton Orient 1-1 Thames
Mansfield 2-0 Northampton
Q.P.R. 1-1 Coventry City
Swindon Town 2-2 Fulham
Torquay United 1-1 Brentford
Watford 3-0 Cardiff City
THE ENTERTAINMENT TAX
For the reserve matches owing to the increase of the entertainment tax next Saturday will see the last sixpenny admission. From Monday next admission to the London Combination matches will be sevenpence with a charge of 1s 5d for the centre stand, the other prices remaining the same. There will be no increase to first team matches, except that in future boys will have to pay sevenpence instead of sixpence.
From the Southend Standard 5th November 1931
Saturday 31st October 1931
SOUTHEND UNITED 2-0 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALB.
Match No. 13 Division 3 (South)
Brighton were fifth in the League, three points behind the Blues but having played a game more, they actually had a better home record but away they had only won two and drawn three of their seven away games. Another encouraging crowd of 11,000 spectators were in attendance at the Kursaal for the early, 2.50 kick off, and they witnessed an entertaining game which from start to finish maintained a fast pace and no quarter was asked for or given. Both sides produced some excellent football but Southend just about had the superiority. The first goal came three minutes before the break, when Donoven leaped high to get his head to a corner kick the goalkeeper got a hand to it but Thomson was running in apply the finishing touch. Shankly was increasingly becoming a marked man as a result of the Blues unbeaten run, and was given little space and was often roughly treated. It was about three or four minutes before the end when Shankly had been injured in a collision and was being tended by the back he had collided with, but the referee waved play on. With the back out of position Barnett raced forward unopposed and crossed for Crompton to score the second. While the goal itself was unfortunate in itself, a two goal margin was certainly well merited by the United. Southend were thirteen games unbeaten and top of the league. Team: Whitelaw; French and Robinson; Dixon, Wilson and Donoven; Barnett, Jones, Shankly, Thomson and Crompton.
London Combination: The reserves with six amateurs in their ranks lost to Queens Park Rangers 1-3 at the White City which dropped the Junior Blues to ninth in the table.
Other Results
Brentford 3-0 Clapton Orient
Cardiff City 1-3 Crystal Palace
Coventry City 1-1 Bristol Rovers
Exeter City 3-1 Torquay United
Fulham 4-0 Norwich City
Gillingham 1-0 Q.P.R.
Luton Town 1-0 Bournemouth
Northampton 1-1 Watford
Reading 4-1 Mansfield Town
Thames 1-1 Swindon Town
Div 3 (South)
31st October 1931....P....W....D....L....F .....A....P
1 SOUTHEND UTD....13....8....5....0....26....10....21
2 Brentford...........13....9....2....2....27....14....20
3 Fulham.......... ...13....8....2....3....34....22....18
4 Watford ............13....8....2....3....36....23....18
5 Crystal Palace......13....6....5....2....27 ....18....17
6 Exeter City.........14....7....2....5....33 ....28....16
7 Brighton & Hove...14....6....4....4....18 ,,,,17....16
8 Luton Town.........14....7....1....6....24....19....15
9 Coventry City.......13....6....3....4....30....26....15
A new goalkeeper was signed by Mr. Bernie due to Billy Moore's injury and the fact that Whitelaw was also in the wars. He was Peter McKenna (not to be confused with Tom McKenna who had played in goal for the Blues in 1929-30). The new goalkeeper had been with Chelsea since 1924 and had made sixty six appearance for the Pensioners, and kept twenty five clean sheets in those games. He had appeared at the Kursaal several times for Chelsea reserves. He was signed initially on a month's loan but this could be extended for the season if required.
APPERANCES AND GOALSCORERS
With thirteen games gone no less than eight players had played in all thirteen, and only fourteen players used in total, which shows what a settled side it was:
Appearances:
Jack French, Dave Robinson, Tom Dixon, Joe Wilson, Dickie Donoven, Mickey Jones and Arthur Crompton 13 each; Jimmy Shankly 10; Tot Pike 8; Billy Moore 7; Dave Whitelaw 6; Arthur Thomson 5; and Fred Baron 3.
Goalscorers:
Jimmy Shankly 7; Arthur Crompton 6; Fred Barnett and Arthur Thomson 3 each; Fred Baron and Jack French 2 each; Mickey Jones, Tot Pike and Joe Wilson 1 each. (26 in all).
SOUTHEND SUPPORTERS CLUB
Last Saturday�s rally at the Woodgrange Drive entrance produced 59 new members and 36 renewals. The total number now enrolled is 1,700. The ladies committee are breaking fresh ground in holding a rummage sale on November 26th at the Southchurch Parish Hall. The monster whist Drive, the most popular event held by the Club has been fixed for December 16th. Excursions are run to every away match and the Hon. Secretary will be pleased to give particulars to any intended traveller.
From the Southend Standard 5th November 1931.
Forthcoming Matches:
Saturday 7th November 1931.....MANSFIELD v SOUTHEND UNITED...Division 3 (South)
Saturday 7th November 1931.....Southend United v Southampton....London Combination
Saturday 14th November 1931...SOUTHEND UTD v WATFORD........Division 3 (South)
Saturday 14th November 1931....Crystal Palace v Southend United...London Combination
DoDtS
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