Pre-Match Thread Southend United v Hartlepool United, Saturday 14th December, 15:00k.o., NL

[It'sGrimUpNorth]

Come on you shrimpers!

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Flashback - David Worrall celebrates his winning goal against Hartlepool United back in 2014 (Image: SNAP)


By Chris Phillips@cjphillips1982Chief sports reporter

DAVID Worrall can still vividly remember how he celebrated Southend United’s last victory against Hartlepool United.

Back in 2014, Worrall scored the only goal of the game as the Shrimpers saw off Pools at Roots Hall.

But it is what happened after the ball hit the back of the net that is still fresh in the winger’s mind.

“I remember I scored and I did a knee slide in front of the fans but it carried on a lot longer than I thought it would,” said Worrall.

“I went into Marlon Harewood, who was sub for Hartlepool, as he went past warming up.

“I proper pooped myself a little bit but realised he carried on walking so I got away with it.”

Blues had even more to celebrate come the end of the season as they clinched promotion via the League Two play-offs.

But the campaign started slowly for Worrall.

“I don’t think I started any of the first 10 games and that always sticks in my mind,” said Worrall.

“After that I got a start against Exeter and I scored.

“From there I never looked back and it was one of my best seasons in football with assists and goals for the club.

“We won promotion and the way we did it at Wembley was a great day too.”

But, prior to joining Blues, Worrall had been fearing for his future.

“I felt like it was a key part in my career,” said Worrall.

“I left Rotherham and there weren’t really many clubs in for me bit Southend called me and it was a no brainer.”

Worrall went on to score nine goals in 84 games with the Shrimpers before leaving in 2016.

But the winger has now made more than 550 Football League appearances in his career.

And he feels fortunate to have played so many games.

“I’ve been very lucky,” said Worrall.

“It’s every boy’s dream to play football and I never thought I would stay in the league as long as I have an play the amount of games I have.

“There are lads technically better than me who are faster, quicker and more powerful but I’ve managed to stay in there.”

And Worrall is still playing now.

“I’m on loan to Curzon Ashton until Jan 2nd from Barrow and it’s been good,” said Worrall.

“I played a few games at Barrow at the start of the season but I literally live round the corner from Curzon.

“I coach here with the under 16s and the under 14s.

“They asked if I would be interested and to be fair to Barrow they didn’t stand in my way.

“I’ve enjoyed it too.

“They haven’t got much money but it’s a family club and they’re having a great season.

“They’re top of National League North with a game in hand so they’re doing really well.”

But Worrall is already starting to consider his next move.

“This will possibly be my last year coaching grass roots,” said the winger.

“I’d like to get into the professional environment.

“I’ve done my badges now and I really enjoy it.

“Hopefully something comes up that I can get an interview for and go from there.”

However, right now, Worrall is focused on playing and he will again be tracking how the Shrimpers get on against Hartlepool this weekend.

“I always keep an eye out for how they’re doing,” said Worrall.

“I always look to see how Jack Bridge is doing too.

“I hope they win again this weekend because Southend means two years of happy memories for me.

"I just hope the celebrations go OK if they do!”

 

[OldBlueLady]

Bless him, I didn't think he had the happiest of times here - didn't his baby die suddenly? And then I think he suffered a drop in form, unsurprisingly, and ended up going back to (I think) Bury?

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Bless him, I didn't think he had the happiest of times here - didn't his baby die suddenly? And then I think he suffered a drop in form, unsurprisingly, and ended up going back to (I think) Bury?

He went to Millwall, OBL. He scored a free kick at former club Bury, the only goal of the game to keep Southend in contention for promotion. He dedicated the goal to his son Noah.

 

[OldBlueLady]

He went to Millwall, OBL.

I liked Worrall, but who am I thinking of then? That was another winger.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

I liked Worrall, but who am I thinking of then? That was another winger.

You might have been right. He had two previous stints at Bury. He had family there and in Manchester. He was strongly linked to a move back to Bury as it looked like he needed to be near his family, and he said he was homesick. A swap was even being sorted out with Danny Mayor coming to us. But Millwall came in for him, and he surprised everyone by going there.

 

[Leeboy]

I liked Worrall, but who am I thinking of then? That was another winger.

Lee Sawyer? Didn’t he suffer the loss of a child or am i getting confused in my old age?

 

[LBBlue]

If all the players that we have had since were as brave as him and put in as much effort as he did, we wouldn’t be in the state we are in today.

Millwall got promoted to the Championship in the season he was with them. He then went back up north to Port Vale and had 6 seasons with them.

 

[shrimpled]

That Hartlepool team was the worst team I ever saw play at Roots Hall until the 2019/2020 season and since then we’ve outdone them on about 50 occasions.

And we only beat them 1-0, and it took a really good goal from Mr Worrall to do it.

 

[leeblue]

I'm actually eating and having a pre game beer in the west today.
A sign of how things have improved at the ground thanks to COSU.
AND new signings.....winding up order anyone.
Please win lads

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Lee Sawyer? Didn’t he suffer the loss of a child or am i getting confused in my old age?

Confused. Lee Sawyer's children were only mentioned when him and his sister went and physically assaulted his ex partner, with the very young kids in the ex's house. They got done for that. He upset SUFC as he had breached his community order, and also had missed some probation appointments.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Confused. Lee Sawyer's children were only mentioned when him and his sister went and physically assaulted his ex partner, with the very young kids in the ex's house. They got done for that. He upset SUFC as he had breached his community order, and also had missed some probation appointments.

We love a bad boy, don't we, lol?!

It was Worrall https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...-club-Bury-weeks-newborn-son-passed-away.html

 

[Guybrush13]

Be nice to get around 6500 as the attendance today - X block still has plenty of tickets available.

 

[AlfaShrimper]

2-0. Bim header first half. Kisses the badge. "I'm not ****ing leaving". Kendal debut tap in second half after coming off the bench.. a man can dream right?

 

[RHB]

Woo hoo, it's match day, the weather is dry and we're on a bit of a roll. I actually can't wait for kick off, the West Stand rocking to 'Everywhere we go' and my favourite stanchion blocking my view sometimes. You've got to love Roots Hall, haven't you?

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Can’t wait for this one either to be honest. Love a new signing .. plus we’ve been poor at home so far so this is a chance to change that. I’ll be rocking up 30 mins early, getting a burger from the van and probably a Bovril as it’s cold enough .. feels like it’s been a while ..

 

[Suffolk Shrimper In Dorset]

SUEPA guests today: Earlier this year former 1980's apprentice Nick Thurston was sadly diagnosed with incurable cancer but continues to meet up regularly with a group of his old Southend teammates, and so today SUEPA are hosting their latest get together. Along with Nick, his son Billy (over from Australia) and some of their good friends, there will also be former players Andy Dixon, Paul Newell, Mick Newell, John Heffer, Christian Hyslop, Jon O'Brien, Iain O'Connell, Rob Savage, Mat Jones, Neil Gray, Paul Taylor and last but not least their old manager and FA Cup winner Kevin Lock. If all goes to plan (got to herd them from the Blue Boar to Roots first which could be a challenge) they should be introduced just before KO.

Micky Stead is also at the match today

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

SUEPA guests today: Earlier this year former 1980's apprentice Nick Thurston was sadly diagnosed with incurable cancer but continues to meet up regularly with a group of his old Southend teammates, and so today SUEPA are hosting their latest get together. Along with Nick, his son Billy (over from Australia) and some of their good friends, there will also be former players Andy Dixon, Paul Newell, Mick Newell, John Heffer, Christian Hyslop, Jon O'Brien, Iain O'Connell, Rob Savage, Mat Jones, Neil Gray, Paul Taylor and last but not least their old manager and FA Cup winner Kevin Lock. If all goes to plan (got to herd them from the Blue Boar to Roots first which could be a challenge) they should be introduced just before KO.

Micky Stead is also at the match today

Sloppy was a good young lad but he had the concentration of a ten week old spaniel puppy. Mr Webb and Paul Clark were, seemingly, always geeing him along.
And if I remember correctly he forgot his bag, left it on the plane, when we flew down to play Torquay in the FA Cup; but Mr Webb did a check and chewed himout over it; not in a nasty way but in a nurturing manner. Happy days. We drew the game, won the replay.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

You really see Kev starting a Friday signing? On from the bench a possibility I reckon.

He was announced Friday, not necessarily signed Friday.

Although I suspect bench is most likely for him.

 

[Evening Echo]

SOUTHEND United host Hartlepool United at Roots Hall this afternoon. Follow all the action live here.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links