Included in that list are both of the club’s ex-Shrimpers, Paul Smith and Leon Johnson. Smith, who played 19 games for David Webb’s United team of the early 1990s between March 1990 and May 1993, underwent an operation over the summer, whilst Johnson, who played over fifty games for the Shrimpers, including some in Webb’s third spell in charge, was injured on the Priestfield side’s trip to France last week. Another former Blues midfielder, Stuart Thurgood, has returned to training with Canvey Island having performed in the Gills’ pre-season fixture at Dover Athletic.
Forwards Marlon King, Rod Wallace and Kevin James also had surgery for the Gills over the summer and are not back to full fitness, whilst Nyron Nosworthy tripped over a cone in training and fails make the trip. Jones Awuah has a throat infection and cannot start and Michael Phillips is awaiting an operation on an injured calf. To compound matters, promising defender Andrew Crofts is on international duty with the Wales Under-19 squad in the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland. As a consequence, a young side is expected to cross the Thames for the encounter.
Southend chief Wignall does not have any of the same problems. The Liverpudlian was able to report a clean bill of health from the 4-2 defeat by Gillingham’s First Division rivals Ipswich Town a week ago, and can therefore call upon a full squad of players to choose from. Amongst them for the first time will be Jamie Fullarton, yesterdays signing on a free transfer, and striking trialists Carl Griffiths and Leon Constantine, who were spotted at Boots & Laces for Meet The Blues Day.
The 49-year-old is also expected to hand some of the goalkeeping duties to trialist Ryan Robinson, formerly of Blackburn Rovers. The shotstopper performed for the club’s reserve team in a 4-0 thrashing that ended a seven-match unbeaten run at Ashton Gate, home of Bristol City in April, and has been promised his first Roots Hall game. Wignall will then call him in on Wednesday morning to discuss his future. Carl Emerson will be handed a chance to improve on last week’s disappointing start.
The defence should start as with the Ipswich friendly seven days ago, with the first-choice four of Jamie Stuart, Mark Warren, Leon Cort and Duncan Jupp across the back-line. Che Wilson, captain of Bristol Rovers in 2001/2, is also in contention after coming off the bench to play at left-back last Tuesday evening. He may be handed a more familiar right full-back role. The midfield, as well as being bolstered by the arrival of Fullarton, will include goalscoring debutant Mark Gower, Kevin Maher and Jimmy Corbett, with Leke Odunsi, another trialist from Millwall, Neil Jenkins and Steven Clark waiting in the wings.
Drewe Broughton will be hoping to build on his impressive debut alongside one of Tesfaye Bramble, who scored against the Tractor Boys, Griffiths or Constantine. Michael Husbands, a youngster released by Aston Villa at the end of last season, should again make an impact coming off of the substitute bench. Last time the Seasiders took on Gillingham was a friendly at Roots Hall on August 1st 2001. Daniel Webb scored the Shrimpers only goal in a 1-1 draw. The previous season saw Blues torn apart in Essex by three goals to one. Tonight’s clash will only see the East Stand opened for home fans, so make sure to arrive early to gain the best vantage point!
TEAM DETAILS
TLG Predicted Southend United team (4-4-2): Carl Emberson; Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Mark Warren, Jamie Stuart; Mark Gower, Kevin Maher, Jamie Fullarton, Jimmy Corbett; Leon Constantine, Drewe Broughton.
Full Southend United Matchday squad: Carl Emerson, Ryan Robinson, Duncan Jupp, Che Wilson, Dave McSweeney, Leon Cort, Mark Warren, Jamie Stuart, Neil Jenkins, Mark Gower, Michael Husbands, Steven Clark Michael Kightly, Kevin Maher, Leke Odunsi, Jamie Fullarton, Jimmy Corbett, Daryl Plummer, Tesfaye Bramble, Leon Constantine, Carl Griffiths, Drewe Broughton.
Gillingham squad (probable, plus unknown youth players): Vince Bartram, Jason Brown, John Hills, Barry Ashby, Ian Cox, Richard Rose, Chris Hope, Dean Beckwith, Nicky Southall, Andy Hessenthaler, Mark Saunders, Daniel Spiller, David Perpetuini, Tommy Johnson, Paul Shaw, Mamady Sidibe.
LAST MATCHES
Tuesday 15th July 2003 - Friendly
Southend United 2 (Mark Gower 7, Tesfaye Bramble 36) Ipswich Town 4 (Ian Westlake 37, Marcus Bent 40, Darren Bent 55, Pablo Couñago 84)
Southend United (4-4-2): Carl Emberson; Duncan Jupp, Leon Cort, Mark Warren (Dave McSweeney 46), Jamie Stuart (Che Wilson 46); Mark Gower (Steven Clark 46), Kevin Maher, Leke Odunsi (Neil Jenkins 46), Jimmy Corbett (Ian Joy 46); Tesfaye Bramble (Michael Husbands 46), Drewe Broughton (Michael Kightly 85). Subs not used: Ryan Robinson, Daryl Plummer
Friday 18th July 2003 – Friendly
Lille 3 (Vladimir 5, 14, Hector 12) Gillingham 1 (Mark Saunders 89)
Gillingham (5-3-2): Jason Brown (Vince Bartram 60); Barry Ashby, Chris Hope (Dean Beckwith 60), Nicky Southall, John Hills (Richard Rose 60), Ian Cox; Danny Spiller, David Perpetuini, Paul Shaw (Mark Saunders 46); Mamady Sidibe (Paul Shaw 70), Tommy Johnson (Matthew Jarvis 60).
2002/3 SEASON
Southend United
Nationwide League Division Three:
Played 46 (23 home, 23 away)
Won: 17 (12 home, 5 away)
Drew: 3 (1 home, 2 away)
Lost: 26 (10 home, 16 away)
Scored: 47 (29 home, 18 away)
Conceded: 59 (23 home, 36 away)
Goal Difference: -12 (+6 home, -18 away)
Points: 54 (37 home, 17 away)
Position: 17th (10th home, 23rd away)
F.A. Cup:
2nd Round: L2-3 (away; AFC Bournemouth; replay)
Worthington Cup:
1st Round: L1-4 (home; Wimbledon)
LDV Vans Trophy:
1st Round: L1-6 (away; Swindon Town)
Gillingham
Nationwide League Division One:
Played 46 (23 home, 23 away)
Won: 16 (10 home, 6 away)
Drew: 14 (6 home, 8 away)
Lost: 16 (7 home, 9 away)
Scored: 56 (33 home, 23 away)
Conceded: 65 (31 home, 34 away)
Goal Difference: -9 (+2 home, -11 away)
Points: 62 (36 home, 26 away)
Position: 11th (13th home, 10th away)
F.A. Cup:
4th Round: L1-2 (away; Leeds United; replay)
Worthington Cup:
3rd Round: L1-2 (away; Chelsea)
THE HISTORY
Last Meeting
1st August 2001 – Friendly (attendance: 1,421)
Southend United 1 (Daniel Webb 35) Gillingham 1 (Marlon King 66)
Southend United: Darryl Flahavan; Stephen Broad (Martyn Booty 69), Phil Whelan, Leon Cort, Damon Searle (Shane Wardley 69); Dean Holness (Tesfaye Bramble 69), Stuart Thurgood, Kevin Maher, Leon Johnson; Tony Richards, Daniel Webb (Jason Harris 81). Subs not used: Dave McSweeney, Scott Forbes, Gareth Risbridger, Daniel Kerrigan, Danny Gay.
Gillingham: Vince Bartram (Jason Brown 80); James Patterson, Chris Hope (Guy Butters 66), Barry Ashby, Roland Edge (Richard Rose 62); Pennock (White 63), Marcus Browning (Andy Hessenthaler 46), Paul Smith (Daniel Spiller 75), Gooden (Mark Saunders 46); Iffy Onoura (Marlon King 46), Paul Shaw (Guy Ipoua 46).
Last Five Meetings
1st August 2001 – Southend United 1 (Webb 35) Gillingham 1 (Marlon King 66) – Friendly
25th July 2000 – Southend United 1 Gillingham 3 – Friendly
18th August 1998 – Gillingham 0 Southend United 1 (Adrian Clarke 90) – League Cup First Round Second Leg
11th August 1998 – Southend United 1 (Rob Newman 86) Gillingham 0 – League Cup First Round First Leg
13th April 1998 – Southend United 0 Gillingham 0 – League Division Two
The Complete Head-to-Head Record (competitive fixtures only)
1998/9 – H1-0 A1-0 (League Cup)
1997/8 – H0-0 A2-1 (League)
1989/90 – H2-0 A0-5 (League)
1989/9 – H2-1 A1-1 (League)
1987/8 – H1-3 A1-8 (League)
1985/6 – H1-1 A0-2 (League Cup)
1983/4 – H3-1 A1-5 (League)
1982/3 – H1-1 A0-1 (League)
1981/2 – H3-0 A0-2 (League)
1979/80 – H0-1 A0-3 (League)
1978/9 – H0-1 A0-1 (League)
1975/6 – H2-2 A2-1 (League)
1974/5 – H2-2 A1-2 (League)
1971/2 – H0-0 A2-2 (League)
1969/70 – H0-0 A0-2 (F.A. Cup)
1966/7 – H0-0 A0-2 (League Cup)
1965/6 – H5-2 A0-1 (League)
1964/5 – H3-1 A0-1 (League)
1960/1 – A2-3 (F.A. Cup)
1957/8 – H2-0 A0-2 (League)
1956/7 – H5-0 A2-0 (League)
1955/6 – H2-2 A3-2 (League)
1954/5 – H3-1 A1-1 (League)
1953/4 – H1-1 A1-3 (League)
1952/3 – H3-1 A1-1 (League)
1951/2 – H3-1 A0-2 (League)
1950/1 – H4-0 A0-0 (League)
1937/8 – H2-0 A1-2 (League)
1936/7 – H0-2 A0-1 (League)
1935/6 – H4-2 A1-2 (League)
1934/5 – H0-0 A2-2 (League)
1933/4 – H1-2 A0-0 (League)
1932/3 – H2-2 A2-3 (League)
1931/2 – H2-0 A0-4 (League)
1930/1 – H3-2 A0-1 (League)
1929/30 – H0-0 A0-1 (League)
1928/9 – H2-0 A2-0 (League)
1927/8 – H1-2 A0-1 (League), A0-2 (F.A. Cup)
1926/7 – H1-0 A3-2 (League)
1925/6 - H1-1 A1-3 (League) H1-0 (F.A. Cup)
1924/5 – H4-0 A1-3 (League)
1923/4 – H3-2 A2-3 (League)
1922/3 – H1-1 A0-1 (League)
1921/2 – H2-0 A0-1 (League)
1920/1 – H1-0 A1-1 (League)
Summary
Southend United 28
Gillingham 32
Draws 20
At Roots Hall
Southend United 24
Gillingham 14
Draws 8
Robert Craven