And welcome back, it's......
2001: A Shrimper Odyssey, and just as scary......
Southend United 3 Carlisle United 2 (played Tuesday, September 25th, 2001)
Blues manager David Webb rang the changes against Carlisle after successive defeats on the road at Bristol Rovers and Oxford United.
Damon Searle and Tes Bramble were dropped with Danny Kerrigan and Jason Harris given their full league debuts as Blues changed to a 4-3-3 formation with Belgrave, Harris and Webb, up front and Kerrigan playing in the left back berth.
Neither of the two new boys let themselves down with Harris seeming to have a new lease of life since being placed on the transfer list and Kerrigan slipping into the left back role like a duck to water.
The first chance of the match fell on 8 minutes when Harris' long throw from the left saw Cort's deft little flick fall to Thurgood at the far post, but the Blues midfielder was unable to get the ball under control and the chance was gone. Five minutes later Harris held the ball up well on the edge of the box, laid the ball off to Kerrigan 30 yards out and his thunderous shot flew inches past the Carlisle post.
What is becoming now inevitable is a Danny Webb booking and it only took fifteen minutes for him to find his way into the referee's notebook for a foul.
Then disaster struck for Blues on 24th minute as Carlisle took the lead. Halliday slipped the ball through to Foran and the Ireland Under 21 International coolly (!!) chipped the ball over the despairing Flahavan and into the net.
Blues almost got back in the game immediately when a Hutchings free kick was headed just past the post by Webb from ten yards. Then Webb had another half chance from a Hutchings right wing cross when his deft flick from inside the box went wide. On 35 minutes Johnson laid the ball into the box for Belgrave who in turn found Harris and the Blues debutante forced a save from Weaver as Winstanley cleared the danger.
Just as it looked like Blues would go in at half-time a goal down they equalised in bizarre fashion. Another long throw from Harris fell to Whelan just inside the box and more by instinct then judgement Whelan flicked the ball over his head and with one bounce the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Second-half began with former Blues man Dave Morley hitting a 25 yard free kick which Flahavan had to be alert to, to save.
Then on 54 minutes Blues took the lead. Maher's right sided free kick was cleared only as far as Thurgood who chipped the ball back into the box for Cort to head on to Webb who in turn headed over Weaver and into the net for 2-1.
Blues were in control now and Thurgood saw a delicate chip from the right side of the box just clear the far post. Then Harris crossed for Webb whose header fell into the grateful arms of Weaver.
Blues needed a third to make certain of the three points as Flahavan was forced to save from Foran's shot on the edge of the area.
Maher's 25 yard effort pulled out a fine save from Weaver then Hutching's cross found Webb, who again found the keeper equal to his effort. With ten minutes remaining Harris hit a 25 yard free kick just wide while Morley hit a thunderous shot from 25 yards which Flahavan did well to save diving to his right.
Then on 83 minutes Carlisle equalised. Andrews throw missed almost everybody and Hopper hooked the ball over his head and past Flahavan much to the delight of the 165 travelling Carlisle supporters.
However Blues were not to be denied and with just two minute remaining Southend regained the lead. Hutchings right sided free kick was held up well by Belgrave who laid the ball back to Maher and from the edge of the box Maher sweetly chipped the ball back towards goal where Weaver was possibly put off by Webb's desperate lunge at the ball but it evaded everybody and bounced into the net to give Blues a much needed three points.
Southend United: Flahavan, Hutchings, Kerrigan, Whelan, Cort, Maher, Thurgood, Johnson, Belgrave, Webb, Harris (Searle 90). Subs not used: Gay, McSweeney, Bramble, Risbridger. Booked: Webb (Foul 15), Harris (Foul 85).
Carlisle United: Weaver, Birch (Hore 69), Winstanley, Andrews, Rogers, Whitehead, Morley, Hews (Hopper 38), McGill, Halliday (Jack 78), Foran. Subs not used: Keen, Thwaites. Booked: Foran (Dissent 51), Hopper (Dissent 79).
(Report from the Little Gazette; September 25th, 2001.)
Goodbye Dave, once again......
'David Webb told the press conference this afternoon that he felt he had taken the blues as far as he felt he could, he wanted to resign after the 3-2 win over Carlisle United at Roots Hall but was persuaded by Ron Martin and Geoffery King to reconsider his actions.
Webb stated that he felt the club were in a better finanacial position than when he joined, he stated "the club is on the right track but the rails are slightly buckled".
David Webb blamed injuries and players not playing to their ability as the reason for the poor performances that have led to the supporters recently critising the management, which was one of the reasons why Webb felt it was time to go and give somebody else the chance to take the Blues forward.
Webb would not be drawn on any likely successor but said that who ever took over would inherit a good squad with promising players.
Webb insisted that the recent publicity reagrding the Fossett Farm development did not have any bearing on his leaving and that he had felt for a long time that he had taken the club as far forward as he felt he could.
Webb finished by saying that he was looking forward to doing things outside of football, and another bonus would be to watch his son Daniel play without any pressure on the both of them.'
(Article from the Little Gazette; October 9 2001)
Which led to:
'Southend United supremo Ron Martin together with Colin Wagman of Delancey Estates and new Blues Manager Rob Newman will face the fans tonight.
The Question and Answer session will be held on Monday 29th October 2001 at The Shrimpers Bar at Roots Hall - 19.30 hrs for a 20.00 hrs start.'
Sounds familiar!
Which led to:
'Steve Connolly, co-editor of the popular progzine The Little Gazette was today told by Southend United that he is no longer allowed to visit the Blues training ground of Boots and Laces.
Steve was in the club shop this morning purchasing his match ticket for Saturday's home game against Lincoln City when Stadium Manager Dave Jobson informed him that he was no longer allowed to watch the players train at Boots and Laces.
This ban quickly follows the clubs refusal to allow Steve access to the Manager and Players at the post match press conferences, a facility the previous three managers and officials of Southend United had no problem with.
The Little Gazette has been in total support of Southend United and has always strived to achieve complete professionalism.
We have provided fast, accurate reports and team news, both for the club and for our own website and progzine. Many Blues supporters have and do appreciate our achievements and have expressed this on many occasions.
The Little Gazette are very disappointed with the attitude of Southend United, especially as we have provided first and reserve team reports home and away for the official web-site and the match day programme for no reward.
We have contacted the football club to arrange a meeting with manager Rob Newman to try to resolve this situation, assistant Manager David Crown phoned Steve this afternoon and told him that Rob was upset that team information was being put on our web-site when he wanted the facts to remain secret, Rob will not be available until Thursday we are informed. We await a date and time for a meeting.
The Little Gazette will continue to provide the standard of reporting and news our fans have become accustomed to, and for as long as they continue to support us.'
(Article from the Little Gazette; November 7th, 2001.)
What goes around........