Southend Moments
Highlight of the year: The highlight of the year focused mainly on the terrific LDV run within the 2003/2004 season. As we all know the Blues ended up in Cardiff, ironically in silver and Southend fans used this as their highlights of the year. Obviously beating Colchester made the whole scenario just that little bit sweeter and a lot of fans enjoyed that as well. Martin Paterson commented that ‘beating Col Ewe in the LDV on all occasions’ were the highlights of the year. That includes the penalty win in October at Layer Road where Tes Bramble scored the opener. The game, of course, ended in penalties and much to the delight of the travelling army, Jimmy Corbett struck the winning penalty after Southend scored all five of their five penalties taken. Other highlights included the 4-0 drubbing of Queens Park Rangers, also in the LDV Vans Trophy and the signing of this season, top goalscorer Freddy Eastwood. That suggestion came from Bradley Martin, a South Stand regular. The final suggestion for highlight of the year came from Phil ‘The Sexy’ Lamb who suggested the eight men win in Swansea. This was a great suggestion but of course occurred in December 2003!
Low point of the year: Southend fans low points of the year were a little more mixed than their highlight. Although many plumbed for the gutting defeat at Scarborough, which denied the Blues an opportunity to face Claudio Ranieri’s millionaire Chelsea side. However Southend did not play well that night and Scarborough’s Mark Quayle won them the match. The travelling army were left absolutely gutted. Others went for the loss and general performance in Cardiff, as Southend were beaten by a confident Blackpool, who were lead by the fantastic attacks of Martin Bullock. There were plenty of other suggested low points of the year that included Jay Smith’s horrific injury at Cambridge where, Cambridge defender Warren Goodhind brought down the diminutive midfielder. This was in February and although Smith has picked up a second injury since, he has not played since. Another low point included the crushing 4-0 defeat and Darlington. Sean Harris suggested that releasing his favourite player Steven Clark was a low point of the year. Via Hornchurch, Clark now finds himself playing at Conference side Dagenham and Redbridge.
Lasting memory from Cardiff: An interesting category that produced a number of answers, both positive and negative. The positive focused on the fans and often the number of fans that arrived at the Millennium Stadium that day. Up to twenty thousand fans have been suggested to have been their which is an absolutely amazing figure and many commented on the sheer number of Southend fans in the stadium. We did of course acquire a number of fans that day including Premiership stars Titus Bramble, who was there to watch brother Tesfaye and Craig Bellamy who made the trip down from Newcastle. Other fans commented on the ‘Stand up if you love Southend chants’ that saw nearly all the blues (or silvers!) to leap to their feet in support. The negative views on Cardiff also came out, in Drewe Broughton’s infamous white boots. The boots weren’t liked my many of the Southend fans and did not bring Drewe much luck as he really wasn’t his day.
Funniest Moment of the Year also included Drewe Broughton’s white boots as many fans chose to laugh at them. Adam Duffill chose to laugh at the desolate faces of Colchester fans after we beat them on all occasions where as Simon Kirby chuckled at Simon Brown’s comical goalkeeping ability. Another goalkeeper who also caused some laughter was Tes Bramble, when he took the gloves for the home match against Boston in the 2004/2005 season. Not only did Bramble put on the gloves but he also pulled of some really good saves. Another funny from the Boston game included the referee, Andy Woolmer, who was described as being overweight and unfit, unable to keep up with play. Officials appeared again in the years comical moments as Adam Pickering commented on the linesman who was sent ‘bundling over’ in the celebrations of Mark Gower’s late winner against Darlington back in April 2004.
Individual performance by any one player in any one game included were:
Mark Gower vs. Darlington 12th April 2004
Tesfaye Bramble vs. Boston 8th October 2004
Nicky Nicolau vs. Carlisle 27th March 2004
Steven Clark vs. QPR 20th January 2004
Drewe Broughton vs. Colchester 17th February 2004
However the winner of performance of the year was:
Freddy Eastwood vs. Swansea 16th October 2004
It was an amazing debut from Eastwood who took only 7.7 seconds to score on his debut. A record for English football I believe. Eastwood then scored a further goal from short range, before he hammered a shot, that found the back of the net via a deflection of a defender.
Goal of the Year included:
Mark Gower vs. Darlington 12th April 2004
Tesfaye Bramble vs. Colchester 10th February 2004
Freddy Eastwood vs. Swansea 16th October 2004 (1st goal)
Drewe Broughton vs. Colchester 17th February 2004
However the winner of goal of the year was:
Mark Bentley vs. Darlington 12th April 2004
Southend at the time were 2-0 down and staring defeat in the face. However a blistering strike from Bentley brought the Blues back in the game, that they eventually won 3-2.
Another contestant for goal of the year was Tes Bramble’s own goal against Leyton Orient on 21st March 2004. It was a great header from Bramble that saw Flahavan left helpless! A great suggestion from Southend regular of over 800 games, Phil Cox.
Player of the Year nominees included:
Adam Barrett
Darryl Flahavan
Kevin Maher
Mark Bentley
Freddy Eastwood
Leon Constantine
However TLG fans' player of the year goes to:
Mark Gower
The former Spurs midfielder was instrumental at Southend in 2004 notably in the LDV run. Gower had an amazing game when The Shrimpers beat QPR 4-0 as he assisted all four of the goals! Gower has continued his good form all the way through 2004 and has been a key part of the team as Southend push for promotion this season. Gower is well worth is accolade.
What team do you hate the most from 2004 and why?
There is no real award for this so I will just mention each of the suggestions from Southend fans:
Yeovil because we cannot beat them.
Colchester United because there is only ‘One team in Essex’
Colchester United occurred on many occasions because of ‘obvious reasons.’
Swansea because they expected to beat us and because of their fans and arrogance.
Scarborough because they cost us money.
Canvey Island because they are local rivals.
West Ham for being so arrogant.
And final words on the year:
Are you a Drewe Boy or a Boo boy: Drewe Boys 80% Boo Boys 20%
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0% of people voted the white shirt of 2003/2004 as their favourite shirt.
0% of people voted the red shirt of 2003/2004 (modelled here by co-editor Rob Craven!) as their favourite shirt.
10% of people voted the silver shirt of 2003/2004 as their favourite shirt.
30% of people voted for the blue shirt of 2004/2005 as their favourite shirt.
40% of people voted the light blue shirt of 2004/2005 as their favourite shirt.
20% of people voted for the red shirt of 2004/2005 as their favourite shirt.
10% of people voted for the Shrimpers Trust shirt for Cardiff as their favourite shirt.
Who is a better forward - Leon of Freddy?
Leon 20%
Freddy 80%
Friday Nights or Saturday Afternoons?
Fridays 50%
Saturdays 50%
Darryl or Bart?
Darryl Flahavan 60%
Bart Griemink 40%
Comments on Southend’s year:
‘Inconsistent’ - Edward Wakefield
‘A very successful one. A good finish to the end of last season and excellent start to this season. Let 2005 be just as good!’ - Adam Duffill
‘Good after Wignall’ - Simon Wakefield
‘Gradually improving, hopefully can lead to promotion. Great to see us reach our first national final with the legend Steve Tilson leading us out’ - Sean Harris
‘Started bad with Scarborough but ended well with Playoff/promotion hopes.’ - Thomas ‘Little’ Berry
‘If it wasn’t for the linos and dodgy refs we would have been top!’ - Bradley Martin
‘It has been a very good year for the Shrimpers which has potentially promotion at the end of the current season. We have had a great turn around and long may the good form continue.’ - Martin Paterson
‘Very inconsistent’ - James McLean
‘Could do better’ - Phil Cox
‘Topsy turvy’ - Adam Pickering
Matt Donohue
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