SUMMARY OF THE 1940-41 SEASON
Season 1940-41 had been a remarkable season in remarkable times although few Southend people had the chance of witnessing the games which were played at Chelmsford with the difficulties in leaving or returning to a defence area.
Whether the decision to re-locate to Chelmsford was the right or wrong decision is a matter of opinion, but if the main reason was the dwindling gates it seems that if Southend had remained at the Stadium gates would have been no worse probably better, but in fairness getting into and out of Southend as a restricted area had its own and numerous problems.
Those that did see the team play would have struggled to recognise many if any of the players for it was virtually a Chelmsford team renamed as Southend United.
The gates were poor, the West Ham cup game had been seen by 3,000 but after that 1,500 was the highest reached and most were a 1,000 or less yet despite this the overall deficit for the season was likely to be less £200.
This was largely due to the manager taking no salary, the players taking cuts in their 30/- (£1.50) appearance money and sometimes having to pay their own travelling expenses plus the clubs portion of the League Cup share out had helped.
The first half of the season saw the Regional League which while not being successful on the pitch had been satisfactory but then had been the rebellion by the London clubs. 'Blow you Jack we're all right' was the London attitude, excluding Southend and other out of town clubs, the League South was reluctantly formed but only because there was no other choice.
The League Cup brought a bit of light relief and four meaningful games was a pleasant change, but with the decision to include the League South goals in the Regional League the overall position was very disappointing.
Whether the decision to re-locate to Chelmsford was the right or wrong decision is a matter of opinion, but if the main reason was the dwindling gates it seems that if Southend had remained at the Stadium gates would have been no worse probably better, but in fairness getting into and out of Southend as a restricted area had its own and numerous problems.
Those that did see the team play would have struggled to recognise many if any of the players for it was virtually a Chelmsford team renamed as Southend United.
The gates were poor, the West Ham cup game had been seen by 3,000 but after that 1,500 was the highest reached and most were a 1,000 or less yet despite this the overall deficit for the season was likely to be less £200.
This was largely due to the manager taking no salary, the players taking cuts in their 30/- (£1.50) appearance money and sometimes having to pay their own travelling expenses plus the clubs portion of the League Cup share out had helped.
The first half of the season saw the Regional League which while not being successful on the pitch had been satisfactory but then had been the rebellion by the London clubs. 'Blow you Jack we're all right' was the London attitude, excluding Southend and other out of town clubs, the League South was reluctantly formed but only because there was no other choice.
The League Cup brought a bit of light relief and four meaningful games was a pleasant change, but with the decision to include the League South goals in the Regional League the overall position was very disappointing.
The general feeling by Southenders about the War was that Southend had been penalised against, with huge government propaganda to enforce evacuation of jobs, children and adults alike and with two thirds of the population gone the local economy suffered and businesses failed while other areas seemed to prosper.
Southend United now had a similar feeling of isolation, segregation and penalisation.
The saving grace was that the Club had survived and was still flying the flag and the untiring work and dedication of the manager Mr. Harry Warren had proved a great example and encouragement to all involved with the club.
Extract from "Southend United under the Shadow of War 1934 to 1946" by Peter William Baker