Wembley

[Cliff Pavilion]

It was actually in 1930 again "Clapton Orient", as their ground "Lee Bridge Road Stadium" was closed while remedial works were carried out to the pitch barriers and hired Wembley to stage two league games of which this was the second.

We lost 3 : 1 with 1,916 in attendance. :stunned: :(

Full Report
http://www.sufcdb.co.uk/index.php?option=com_matchdetails&Itemid=71&mno=-1748

Glory hunters.

 

[JoshC]

Why don't we ask Cricko what it was like?

Not sure if he was there, I think he was celebrating his 40th birthday that weekend...

 

[Cricko]

Not sure if he was there, I think he was celebrating his 40th birthday that weekend...

Ooooooooo How Hurtful....:'(

 

[The Big Dady]

Well Done Donny

Well done Donny, fully deserved.

Just wish my dream had come true and they were all Shrimpers in this pic. :clap: :(

 

[HUTTON]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixBFRsHaypc

 

[Kris]

Well the alarm on my mobile phone has just gone off, after setting it some days ago, to make sure I get up really early for our big day at Wembley.

Shower, brush my teeth, shave, and put on my jeans and my Southend shirt that has been hanging up all nice and pressed since our return from our great win at Donny a week ago. Pick up my flags including my one of the 5,000 Ron Martin arranged to be given out at the 1st play off leg at Roots Hall.

A quick bite to eat and a cup of tea followed by the short walk down to the railway station to catch one of your Blues Specials leaving Southend Victoria. Meet up with some of my mates, and all the other Shrimpers decked out in blue with most carrying flags to cheer on the Shrimpers.

The train journey was fantastic with all the flags hanging out of the train and we all warmed up singing voices all the way into London.

Quick trip on the underground to our first watering hole for a few pre match pints, then back on the train to Wembley.

What a sight, to see Olympic Way leading up to Wembley decked out in Blue with thousands of Southend supporters all making there way up to the new Wembley National Stadium.

Entered the turnstiles and walked through the concourse, up the steps and entered the stadium proper. The wall of noise and colour hit us straight away, with the Leeds fans over to our left, and all the 29,000 Shrimpers round to our right, with a sea of Blue flags waving, and “The Blue Voice” as loud as I have ever heard them behind the goal.

I can not remember much about the game, it all seemed to go by in a flash, just like our recent 3 appearances down in Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium. But the important things I do remember were that James Walker scored a cracker from well outside the box that flew in off the crossbar into the top right hand corner of the Leeds goal after only 3 minutes. This seemed to settle the Shrimpers down and they started to knock and pass the ball around. The half time whistle goes, and we all make our way down to the concourse for a bite to eat and drink, you could only just hear to talk about the first half as all the Southend support were still in full voice.

Back to our seats for the second half, this did not start as the Blues had hoped. With Beckford picking up a long ball which caught out our back four, he blasted the ball passed Darryl, who had no chance to stop it. The Shrimpers heads did not drop though, it just seemed to spur them on, with the Blues playing some sexy football in front of the Shrimpers supporters who were fully behind their team, Time was ticking by and we were all starting to think about extra-time and possible penalty shoot out. However, in the 89 minute those fears were put to bed with a fantastic flowing move that seemed to involve the whole team, finishing with Lee Barnard turning in the 6 yard box and placing the ball past their keeper into the right hand corner of the goal. The place just erupted, with all the Shrimpers going mad all over the place, and singing their hearts out for the lads. This was only matched by the cheers and chants when the final whistle went.

So the Shrimpers are back to the Championship after only one season, which if we are all honest, is much much more than we had hoped for after last season.

I do not remember to much about the journey home, as we spent all that evening celebrating around London our fantastic win, but I believe I got back into bed around 2.30am Monday Morning.


My alarm goes off, and I wake up, only to find that it was all a great dream. Oh how I wish dreams that are so real came true.

There's one thing wrong with this analysis...













James Walker would have been ineligible for the final.

 

[Andy_S]

I'm going to come out and say it. I'm just not a fan of the new Wembley. Just another identikit new stadium without a drop of the character the old one had. Oh how the old place is missed when you see the clips back. :'(

 

[Birri]

Just got back home went to wembley today with me osy's dad. (He is a leeds fan) and the atmosphere was brillant from the leeds fans even though they were poor up front and couldnt put a cross in for toffee. Donny didnt even fill their end couldnt help thinking it would have looked a hell of a lot better packed with shrimpers rather than donny. At least we went out to the winners !

 

[les@donr]

Great result andd great day out.

 

[Andy_S]

Great result andd great day out.

Can't remember if you've been on here since. Anyway, I'll say it anyway, congratulations and good luck next year. I'm sure you'll surprise some of the big clubs with your quality.

 

[les@donr]

Cheers Andy, think Rovers will hold their own in the CCC, with a couple of additional signings, Maynard being one, gives you the chance to get Heffs as rumours are he might go for either for a small fee or on a free.

 

[Andy_S]

As in Nicky Maynard? Can you afford him? Would be a cracking signing for you.

Would love to see Heffernan here, despite his petulance in the semi. Tilly likes him as he's tried for him before as you know, but he's one of these that I wonder if he'd actually want to move south................

 

[Skyblue]

I'm going to come out and say it. I'm just not a fan of the new Wembley. Just another identikit new stadium without a drop of the character the old one had. Oh how the old place is missed when you see the clips back. :'(

The old Wembley was special.I remember going to see the Everton Watford cup final years ago with a mate who got tickets through our football club. We were standing in the upper tier behind the goal with the Everton fans who were jumping up and down on mass. The vibration through the stand was actually lifting us off the ground and I remember thinking, oh Sh*t if this lots gives way, its a bloody long way down into the concourse below.

 

[les@donr]

As in Nicky Maynard? Can you afford him? Would be a cracking signing for you.

Would love to see Heffernan here, despite his petulance in the semi. Tilly likes him as he's tried for him before as you know, but he's one of these that I wonder if he'd actually want to move south................

Andy, yes we can afford him, he would be the striker we need in the CCC, and there is a decent kitty for funds which SOD has underplayed so Rovers are put over a barrell and ripped off. Think Heffs will head your way, needs a new start and previously played in the South with Bristol City.

 

[Andy_S]

Andy, yes we can afford him, he would be the striker we need in the CCC, and there is a decent kitty for funds which SOD has underplayed so Rovers are put over a barrell and ripped off. Think Heffs will head your way, needs a new start and previously played in the South with Bristol City.

Well you'll have to let us know if you hear anything at your end. He's exactly what we need IMHO. A bit of experience and proven at getting goals in this league.

Well if you do get Maynard, not only would it be a coup, it'd also mean I'm sure you'd do even better then everyone thinks you're going to at the moment.

 

[les@donr]

Well you'll have to let us know if you hear anything at your end. He's exactly what we need IMHO. A bit of experience and proven at getting goals in this league.

Well if you do get Maynard, not only would it be a coup, it'd also mean I'm sure you'd do even better then everyone thinks you're going to at the moment.

I think Rovers only needs 2/3 new players to hold their own in the CCC, one is definitely a striker, a No.2 Goalie and cover on the left midfield.

 

[DonnyRover]

Hi guys, good day out on Sunday and a nice experience. I felt that the Millenium was nicer in all honesty though it is a huge ground. We got half the ground and sold 27,000 tickets. Makes you realise how big the place is when 27 thousand in half the ground left a load of empty seats.

Still a great day out though and the Championship is going to be interesting. Some say we'll surprise people with how good we pass it, some say we're too small. Well we're going to find out. I'll have you down for league 1 next season, you'll be strong and do very well. I know you wanted Heffs before and I would not be be surprised to see him go. We'll spend big on a striker and he may be the one that suffers as for me Hayter and Price are our best 2.

 

[les@donr]

Not just me saying Heffs is leaving!

 

[stevietheshrimper]

Well done to Rovers.

Clearly the best of the four in the play offs.

Not often that you get stuffed 5-1 and end up wishing that team all the best, but I think you just have to doff your cap to Rovers.

And now you can enjoy at least nine months of Johnny Big Bollox talk from the CCC giants telling you how you're not fit not play at their grounds. I'm sure you'll enjoy bloodying a few noses.

 

[les@donr]

Cheers Steve, waiting to heap more misery on Derby, Birmingham, Reading et al.