Having encountered rail replacement buses, expensive trains, congested roads, away travel isn't easy, especially for those long away games.
However, Gillingham have been promoted so we have another close away game, but be warned from previous trips, this journey may not be as straight forward as it seems:
Saturday 4th February 1933
GILLINGHAM 3-2 SOUTHEND UNITED
Division 3 (South)
Gillingham were currently in fourteenth place two points and two places below the Blues, they had struggled earlier in the season and been in and around the re-election zone, but had put some consistent results together to reach their present level.
It was one of those 'black' Saturdays for the Blues, when everything went wrong starting with the journey, the team bus broke down between Gravesend and Chatham and they eventually got a lift in a tradesman's van but arrived at the ground late which may mean a fine for the club. The bus had developed engine trouble and trainer Cartwright went off to try and arrange alternative transport.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Supporters Club hailed down a passing covered van which happened to come from Stanford Le Hope, there was just enough room for the players in the back if they stood and somehow they managed to get changed as well.
The Gillingham officials were pacing about the entrance at past 3.00 the time for the kick off when the van pulled up and the players trotted out into the dressing room and straight out onto the pitch. Later a double-decker bus arrived to bring the supporters who had travelled with the team to the ground.
The game started badly with Gillingham scoring after only twelve minutes and this was the only goal of the first half. The second half had dramatic developments when Samuels equalised for the Blues then Morfitt gave the United the lead, but then lost the lead within 50 seconds, and then finally lost to a penalty goal.
Just to complete the 'black' Saturday theme, Southend wore their away strip of black and white striped shirts.