Read all about it: DoDtS is back for the season with more historical articles for S24
Mr Jack has evidently absorbed a considerable amount of Highbury technique" and is already responsible for introducing an innovation in "Soccer". In order to avoid comment from the crowd by himself going onto the pitch during a match he is having a telephone line laid from the stand to the trainer's seat near the touchline. He can thus comment freely from his own seat on the players and play and direct policy to some extent from the grandstand.
From the Southend Standard 9th August 1934
UNITED PLAYERS REPORT FOOTBALLERS BRING HEAT WAVE
Southend United players reported for Training on Monday and as usually seems to be the case brought a heat wave with them which put thoughts of football out of the question altogether.
The entire staff of 24 announced themselves at the office of the Stadium and they then proceeded to the Kursaal ground where training will be undertaken until the season opens.
Mr. David Jack journeyed down to the Kursaal and had a long conversation with the players in the old dressing room. After posing for photographs the men accompanied by Trainer Cartwright set out for a walk.
For the first week only light work will be undertaken, football practice being introduced when the players muscles have become used to strenuous exercises. All the men were fit and well and there was a happy spirit abroad as they set out wearing high collard jerseys.
Training is being undertaken at the Kursaal in order to have the Stadium ground in good condition for the opening of the football season. The pitch at the Kursaal which has been unattended during the summer has lost that familiar bloom but the grass at the Stadium seems to have found it and it is expected that unless there is any severe weather early in the season the new ground will stand up to the wear.
From the Southend Standard 2nd August 1934
Wednesday 15th August 1934 Public Trial Match Blues 0-2 Stripes
Mr David Jack said that he was very pleased by the performance in the first trial match, although he would have liked to have seen more bite in the play. The weather was ideal and for many it was their first view of the new ground.
The outstanding player on the field was Oswald playing at right wing, who although slight of build his twinkling feet and uncanny knowledge of anticipation were outstanding. The scorers were Benny Jones and Johnson.
A total of 2,937 paid for admission and there were just over 3,000 at the match, the total is over 200 more than at the first practice match last season.
Teams: Blues: Whitelaw, Robertson and Kelly (St Anthony); Williams (Sheffield Wednesday), J. Wilson and Smith; Barrow, Rogers (Tredegar Juniors), Morfitt, Benny Jones (Nelson) and Lane.
Stripes: Moore; Stevenson (Brentford) and Robinson; Todd, Gulliver (new Tredegar) and Donoven; Oswald (Sheffield United), E. Jones, Johnson (Oldham Athletic), Cheesmur (Sheffield United) and Clark (Benburb).
Saturday 18th August 1934
The second trial match took place at the Kursaal and resulted in a narrow victory for the Blues against the Stripes (3-2), while the match was enjoyable to watch for the spectators it did little to ease the problem of who to select for the opening game.
Admission to the practice matches was 6d (2½d half the admission to a league match) Adults or 3d (just over 1p) for boys the stands were extra.
Saturday 22nd August 1934
The players were given a pleasant relaxation from their ordinary training routine viz. a coach run out to Woodham Walter where golf was enjoyed by several members and Mr. David Jack also took part.
From the Southend Standard 9th August 1934.
Extracts from:
"Southend United Under the Shadow of War 1934 to 1946"
By Peter William Baker