We have previous with Chelsea.

[A Century United]

I recall (if my memory isn't also playing me tricks) that "Butch" Wilkins came on as a sub at the testimonial, to ribald laughter when his name was read out over the tannoy - back in the '70's being "butch" wasn't something most people would have admitted to!

:whistling:

 

[Norwichsufc]

I was at the Cheksea cup tie and a freindly (Dave robinsons Testimonial ?) around that time too.

IIRC there was more trouble at the Friendly

I was at the friendly,standing on the north bank as usual back then. Game kicked off, no chelsea supporters to be seen. Also a very small police presence, as there had been little or no trouble at the earlier cup game. After about 10 minutes IIRC, all hell broke loose. The chelsea fan's coaches had been delayed, their 'fans' (I use the term loosely) then entered the north bank from both ends, throwing whatever they could get their hands on at us. They forced the home support out of the north bank. I remember ending up on the pitch. Probably the most frightening time I ever had at the hall.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

I was at the friendly,standing on the north bank as usual back then. Game kicked off, no chelsea supporters to be seen. Also a very small police presence, as there had been little or no trouble at the earlier cup game. After about 10 minutes IIRC, all hell broke loose. The chelsea fan's coaches had been delayed, their 'fans' (I use the term loosely) then entered the north bank from both ends, throwing whatever they could get their hands on at us. They forced the home support out of the north bank. I remember ending up on the pitch. Probably the most frightening time I ever had at the hall.

I think that you will find that it was actually the league match with Millwall. Well before kick off time with only about 50 Southend fans in the middle of the north bank as the turnstiles had not long been open.
We heard an almighty crash, that was the big blue gate that got kicked down, followed by a chorus of ''MIIIILLLLLLWWWAAAALLLLL'' some Southend fans shouted ''dont run,stand'', quite laughable as they were in general much older, much bigger, twice as many and some of them at the front pulled out dockers hooks and knives.
Suddenly it was on to the pitch and jump into the East stand, helped by a few brave coppers.
Millwall were at the top of the league and we were down the bottom. The game was boring and finished 0-0. Their mob kicked in a few windows in the high street after the game and subsequently battled with the police and then wrecked a train from Southend central.

 

[Norwichsufc]

It was definately the Chelsea game that I was at back then.

 

[glyn101]

In 1972 I was a 9 year old chelsea fan!

I can remember bits about the game. Mostly the long hair and the hooliganism on a floodlit night. I was in the front row of the away end, wondering why I was there.

And passing the Chelsea coach along the a127 in our Morris Minor with the our idols stunned at the sight of these ardent 9 year olds. There they were with there nice blue suits so embarrassed to wave back. The memories were far better than the reality seemed.

It was the era of Chelsea versus leads and I was highly impressionable.

Hopefully I'll get a ticket for the return at Stamford Bridge but wearing a different blue.

 

[WickfordShrimper]

I can remember bits about the game. Mostly the long hair and the hooliganism on a floodlit night. I was in the front row of the away end, wondering why I was there.

And passing the Chelsea coach along the a127 in our Morris Minor with the our idols stunned at the sight of these ardent 9 year olds. There they were with there nice blue suits so embarrassed to wave back. The memories were far better than the reality seemed.

It was the era of Chelsea versus leads and I was highly impressionable.

Hopefully I'll get a ticket for the return at Stamford Bridge but wearing a different blue.

Headhunters ? maybe in the 70/80s not now.... Southends CS Crew will give them a run for their money these days i reckon ...

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

Certainly didn't go and have been breaking my head, this morning,trying to think why I don't have any recollections of that match. The only reason I could come up with was that, in that Autumn, I had just started my teacher training course down in Brighton....
....perhaps there were other things on my mind! It certainly would have been difficult to have got back, midweek. Perhaps it was also the fact that the League Cup wasn't very coveted as a competition at that time? Do, however, remember Garner being transfered to Chelsea following his perfomance............you don't reckon it's an idea that we rest Laurent for our trip to Stamford Bridge in January?!!!