The Real Keeper Debate

[DTS]

All this talking of good old das under Webby has made me question who was the better keeper Sammy or Royce.

SAMMY -

Was first ever keeper I really saw well apart fro Eric Steele but cant really call him a keeper. He must have been in goal for nearly 10 years. I have seen the bloke make saves that he had no right too. His command of his box was superb and you always felt confident.

The only downside I can remember was he did have a erratic side where he would charge out of goal for no reason. Oh and his tendancy to get sent off once a season and leave Tilly to go in goal.

Maybe his loyalty to the Blues cost him a bigger move ?

ROYCE

Most were shocked when he came in for Sammy. Think it was Fat Judas who saw his potential.In his early days he was prone to howlers but once he got that place under Fry Smmy never had a chance.

Royce was amazing at one on ones IIRC. Most agile keeper I have ever seen at the Hall and the fact that he is still a first divsion keeper shows his class.

WHO IS BETTER - Over to you.

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Paul Sansome. There really is no competition ...

WS

 

[DTS]

Care to elaborate Mike ?

 

[Desert Shrimper]

Sammy every day of the week. Amazing saves from my viewpoint in the north and a true Southend United hero.

Anyone know how many years he was with us?

 

[Smiffy]

A good post Dave me old mucker...

Sammy... probably the first keeper I remember, he was a great shot stopper, commanded his area well and was and always will be a legend...wont forget the banter we used to have with him either, "wiggle it, just a little bit!!"...

Roycey... Another superb shot stopper, probably the best ive seen to be honest, the one down side to him though was his kicking, it was dire, i remember turning to my dad many times saying " I could kick a ball further than Roycey dad" to which he would agree...at times, especially on the deck kicks, he couldnt reach the half way line!

Tough one to call, but for all round ability and character i'll have to plump for Sammy.

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Over 350 solid appearances for the Shrimpers puts Paul Sansome well in front of Royce (although we shall need to forget just for a fleeting moment the time our 'Sammy' threw the ball into his own net on against Oxford United). Royce was a fine keeper, often let down by a succession of crap defences in front of him, but could have never grasped with utter confidence the mantel left by Sansome. Both are, however, better than Flahavan ...

WS

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (The Bloke In The Pram Shop @ Dec. 18 2005,14:22)]Anyone know how many years [Sansome] was with us?

March 1988 to June 1997 - 357 first-team appearances in just under nine years puts him 5th in the all-time appearance chart, although he is about to be pushed down to 6th by a certain Kevin Maher ...

WS

 

[Angell Delight]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ Dec. 18 2005,13:25)](although we shall need to forget just for a fleeting moment the time our 'Sammy' threw the ball into his own net on against Oxford United).

Yes the most horrendous goalkeeping blunder I've ever seen by a Shrimpers custodian - this shouldn't be the case but it was SO bad I actually found it quite funny!!  

Sammy just about edges it for me but both he and Roycey were fabulous keepers for this football club and the '95/'96 season saw some of the greatest goalkeeping performances I've ever seen from the latter. At West Ham in the FA Cup he was fantastic and I also recall performances at Palace (he got 10 out of 10 in the papers) and Derby that season that single-handedly won him the PotY that season, he hardly put a foot wrong that campaign.

As I said though its Sammy JUST ABOUT.

 

[Shrimp in a Kilt]

Not a fair poll. Sammy wins hands down on character, loyalty, legendary status (my missus used to come soley to gaze at his bum in those tight shorts) - but though it breaks my heart to say so, Royce was the more adept keeper.

 

[DTS]

Only thing I would add in Royceys favour is...

Sammy was lucky to have possibly the best pair of full backs in Austin and Powell that this club has ever produced. He was also fortunate enough to have Scully,Prior and Clark infront of him for a long period.

If you look at Roycey it can hardly have given him much confidence to look infront of him and see the delighrs of Mark Hone and Keith Dublin.

I did go for Sammy myself though.

 

[Desert Shrimper]

I suspect the younger members on this board will go for Roycie just because they never saw Sammy play for us.....

 

[Sao Paulo Shrimper]

Sammy withot a doubt.

A proper commanding keeper who would boss the defence and had the safest pair of hands in the divisions. Also a part of a few legendary teams and good for a bit of banter.

Royce was and is a good goalie but Sammy is an all time great at RH.

 

[Ron Manager]

Just on an emotional level it's Sammy for me. A true Roots Hall legend!

However Roycey was also a fantastic keeper for us who's gone on to have a good career in the top two divisions.

 

[pickledseal]

i can't really decide (but didn't want to put that i was too young

)

sammy was one of my first southend heros and a true shrimper
however overall royce was prob a more competitant keeper all round (kicking aside!)

i went for sammy overall - i think when it comes down to it he will be remembered for longer!

 

[Kent Shrimper]

Sammy for me, utter legend and a damn fine goal keeper.

 

[Spikey Shrimper]

thats close!!!! Roycey was a quality shot stopper but he couldn't kick!!!!

 

[steve flack is god]

ive just equalised for sammy.
13 votes all.

 

[gilbo]

i've just put sammy in the lead, but it was a tough call.

remember the throwing competition he was in at wembley during the half-time of some england friendly?!

 

[pickledseal]

i v vaguey remember that!!

 

[keefmoon]

Saw both keepers on many occasions. Sammy was a legend, but my cat is named after Roycie, so I'd have to go with Simon. Great, great shotstopper.
Kicking being atrocious all but admitted.