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John had, for many seasons followed the Shrimpers, for whom his father Arthur – born in 1906 along with United – had been an avid supporter during the early Kursaal seasons, via local press, including radio and newspapers (we at TLG aim to provide a full newspaper report on the building of Roots Hall over the coming weeks), but did not see his first Blues game until February 1955 as a wide-eyed 13-year old with his mother , Mary.
In those days the transport was provided by the number nineteen, Clscton to Southend bus, which callend in via his home town of Maldon. John has always mentioned how many Southend players, including Kevin Baron, who once managed Maldon, used to join the bus along the way on the way to South Essex would talk freely about the game ahead. Unfortunately the only direct link between Maldon and Southend nowadays is by road.
Southend were beaten by Watford, 3-1, at the Stadium, with Jimmy Whyte grabbing Blues goal in front of 6,188. Unfortunately the Hornets game came in the middle of a nine-match run without a win, and indeed John’s first ‘victory’ did not arrive until April, and it could not have been any sweeter as braces from Cyril Grant and Roy Hollis saw Colchester United defeated, 4-2, at Grainger Road.
Of course the summer of 1955 saw United leave the Greyhound Track of Grainger Road, and return to Roots Hall, from where the Shrimpers had departed in 1919.
John, located as ever, in the East Stand Paddock, witnessed the 3-1 opening day victory with Norwich City with the fondest of memories, Sammy McCrory, Cyril Dowsett and Roy Hollis giving United victory in front of 17,700.
Since then, John (‘Dad’) has barely missed a match at Roots Hall, with only the death of his father Arthur in early 1982 providing a real barrier, whilst as many away games have been attended as possible. Right up until this day, John will always tell you about his visit to Highfield Road, Coventry City in September 1962 when, to his knowledge, he and Arthur were the only Southend fans present. United were 3-1 down and cruising to defeat with just two minutes left when Derek ‘Ada’ Woodley and Micky Beesley (who grabbed a hat-trick) somehow stole a 4-3 victory for the Shrimpers. Without doubt that is the game John would tell you about more than any other.
Of course there’s also the Liverpool FA Cup trilogy of the mid 1950’s and the 1979 rematch, but another abiding memory comes from Saturday, 4th May 1991. Thankfully both Katy and myself were present as Dad danced, and indeed cried with joy, as Blues were promoted to Division Two (the Championship if you like) for the first time in their history.
It’s a shame that, some 14 years later, United find themselves back in the basement division – shamefully since 1999 – but as we speak Blues stand just six points off top spot as John passes his fifty years and Roots Hall approaches its.
It seems Roots Hall’s days are numbered, I sincerely hope my Dad’s days following the Blues are not…
Up the Blues,
Love always,
Katy & Mark
(February 2005)