TLG Review of 2004 – March

Last updated : 27 December 2004 By Robert Craven

Steve Tilson was confirmed as Blues boss in the middle of the month
The intriguing situation regarding Lawrie Dudfield’s move to Roots Hall was the over-riding focus point of the first half of the month, with the forward himself telling The Little Gazette, “I’d really like to stay. I’ve enjoyed it here and I’d like to help the team away from the relegation zone this season”. That was at Boston United’s York Street ground, just before Southend gained a vital three points with a 2-0 win over the Pilgrims.


It was the first time that Blues had beaten Boston on their own turf, but the result was never really in doubt as soon as Mark Bentley rose to head Mark Gower’s free-kick in off of the left-hand post for his first strike for the southeast Essex club. Mark Greaves managed to nod against the crossbar a few minutes later for the hosts, but midway through the second period, Neil Jenkins, a second half substitute for Gower who had already seen Stuart Blamer dismissed for scything him down, heading in a fine Carl Pettefer cross.


The trip to the Memorial Stadium three days later saw Dudfield’s presence in the balance. Steve Tilson told the Southend Evening Echo that, “I’m looking to bring Lawrie here until the end of the season and, to be honest, I’d love to sign him permanently”, but his opposite number at Northampton Town, Colin Calderwood, was bullish in the Northampton Chronicle: “Lawrie will be coming back and will be in the squad for Saturday. The loan move has been perfect for him”.


Later on the Friday afternoon, it was revealed that both clubs believed the front man’s contract was up at different times. Southend were hopeful that the 24-year-old had just three month left to run on his deal, and the Cobblers thought he had a further year to run. United’s lack of money would prove troublesome in negotiating a long-term deal. In Bristol, Dudfield told supporters, “Hopefully I’ll sign next week”, as Tilson ensured that Carl Pettefer would stay for a further two months, taking his contract to the end of the campaign.


In between, there was the small matter of the game against the Pirates to battle through, and thanks to midfielder Mark Gower they managed a creditable point against the well-supported Rovers. Paul Tait chipped the ball over an advancing Darryl Flahavan a quarter-of-an-hour in, but that was the only really threatening moment of the first half, and the second period saw little more goalmouth action before Gower’s weaving culminated in a low drive past Kevin Miller. The veteran goalkeeper made a fine save from Drewe Broughton to deny Southend all three points in the closing stages.


Four days passed before a shock press conference was called by the Shrimpers’ director Ron Martin. As United found themselves eight points clear of the relegation zone, it had gone almost unnoticed that Steve Tilson and Paul Brush were still only in caretaker charge, but that was all to change as the pair were awarded two-and-a-half year contracts apiece, Tilson as manager, Brush as head coach.


The next day, it emerged that Lawrie Dudfield, who it was widely believed would now be free to join the Seasiders after the added security of the duo’s appointment, was in talks with Yeovil Town, challenging for a play-off place, and with far more financial clout than the Essex side. However, just hours before the Third Division clash with Swansea City, it was revealed that Dudfield was staying with Blues until after the game, and on the Monday he thrashed out a permanent deal with a two-year contract.


He celebrated with a vital goal against the Welshmen. Kevin Nugent, the former Leyton Orient forward, gave City the lead just after the hour mark with a stabbed effort over Flahavan from a long Roberto Martinez pass, but Dudfield restored order just four minutes later with a deserved equaliser, flicking in Broughton’s touch to a Bentley cross. Swans goalkeeper Brian Murphy was sent off with fifteen minutes left, but United could not force a winner, and slipped to 19th, although extending that lead to nine points from second-bottom.


On the eve of another vital League clash with Lincoln City, SKY Sports’ outside broadcast team were at Boots & Laces filming Southend in preparation for the LDV Vans Trophy final against Blackpool. First under the focus was striker Tesfaye Bramble, who revealed that he was disappointed not to have faced Chelsea in the fourth round of the FA Cup after defeat to Conference Scarborough before going on to express that he had set himself the target of getting more goals to ensure League survival and LDV glory in the coming weeks. It was a sadder day for Jamie Fullarton, who chose to leave Blues four days before the final by mutual consent after suffering a series of injuries.


A trip to Sincil Bank lay ahead, with obvious thoughts switching to Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium throughout. On the half-hour mark, top goalscorer Leon Constantine pounced on a mistake by defender Jamie McCombe and fired past Alan Marriott to give Blues the lead, and six minutes later Drewe Broughton’s knock-down was clinically finished by the same man. Unfortunately, after the break the lead was squandered, first as Francis Green bundled in after Flahavan misjudged a Matt Bloomer long throw, and then in the third minutes of eight of stoppage time, Simon Yeo grabbed an undeserved leveller.


One defeat in twelve matches was a fantastic run going into the club’s biggest day of their history, but Blackpool supporters were still very confident going into yet another Millennium Stadium final. Mark Orr, of www.seasiders.net, told us that ‘Pool would win 2-0 as we built up to final, whilst Mark Gower told the Echo that his knee was “feeling fine”. Nonetheless, he would undergo a late fitness test.


Lawrie Dudfield finally joined the Shrimpers after a series of contract disputes
Two days prior to the game, the Essex Chronicle interviewed Bramble again, probably due to his history with Chelmsford City and his big-name brother Titus, as he prepared to take part in groundbreaking laser eye treatment, the first of its kind for a professional footballer. The Millennium Stadium told Blues supporters that the roof may be closed for the final of the LDV Vans Trophy as south Wales had been suffering from windy and rainy weather over the past few days. Manager Steve Tilson told his side to do themselves justice, but recommended that they did not leave with any regrets.


The day finally arrived, with a convoy of Shrimpers Trust coaches travelling down the M4 and a plethora of television and radio stations following Blues players, officials and supporters all the way down to Cardiff. Between fifteen and twenty thousand fans eventually made it to Cardiff for what was the biggest ninety minutes Southend United Football Club had ever experienced.


In the end, the match itself was slightly disappointing – though the occasion, of course, was not. It was a downward spiral as soon as John Murphy handed the Seasiders a 75-second lead with a decidedly offside-looking strike after Martin Bullock’s low shot was parried out. Winger Bullock ran Che Wilson ragged throughout the tie, and despite the best efforts of Lewis Hunt with a series of long-range attempts on goal, Southend lacked any bite. Bullock’s centre was good enough for Danny Coid to drill into the opposite corner of the net ten minutes into the second period, and Blues’ one moment came when Leon Constantine failed to gamble as he went one-on-one with goalkeeper Lee Jones.


The Shrimpers' brave performance gained the praise of their boss, and their supporters were applauded by Blackpool manager Steve McMahon for their unstoppable vocal encouragement, but sadly the national media centred on Blackpool’s achievement against their lower-League opposition.


On transfer deadline day, Nicky Nicolau was revealed as a replacement left-back for Wilson on loan from Premiership champions-elect Arsenal, despite having a trial at Bristol Rovers earlier in the season. The Camden-born youngster went straight into the side to face Carlisle United at Brunton Park. For another defender, Dave McSweeney, the end was starting to looking nigh a few days later as the Basildon-born centre-half joined Welling on loan until the end of the season.


Against the relegation-haunted Cumbrians, Tilson’s men secured a first win in 41 years to move seven points clear of the drop with eight games (one of those in hand) of the year remaining. After a dull first half, Constantine lifted spirits with an effort just over the bar, and then put the Seasiders ahead by finishing a jinxing run with a low finish past Matty Glennon. Mark Bentley’s free-kick was driven at the wall on 77 minutes, and somehow Adam Rundle was penalised for handball. Constantine tucked home the spot-kick, then had to retake it for infringement, and stroked in again. Craig Farrell’s late goal worried the Shrimpers, but they clung on for three points, imperative as the season started to come towards its conclusion.


Newsround (click on headline for full story):


Thu 04 Mar | Dudfield: “I’d Really Like To Stay”

Fri 05 Mar | Dudfield’s Southend Career Hangs In Balance

Fri 05 Mar | Shrimpers In Dudfield Contract Dispute

Sat 06 Mar | Tilly Continues Loan Wrangling

Mon 08 Mar | Tigers Clash Rearranged

Thu 11 Mar | Shrimpers Call Press Conference

Thu 11 Mar | Tilson Given Job

Thu 11 Mar | Press Conference Reaction

Fri 12 Mar | Trio Allowed To Leave

Fri 12 Mar | Dudfield To Go West?

Sat 13 Mar | Lawrie Dudfield Is A Blue!

Tue 16 Mar | Bramble Sets Goal Target

Wed 17 Mar | Fullarton Leaves Shrimpers

Thu 18 Mar | LDV Vans Final – The Blackpool Perspective

Thu 18 Mar | Gower: “It’s Feeling Fine”

Fri 19 Mar | Bramble To Undergo New Eye Treatment

Fri 19 Mar | Roof May Be Closed For Final

Fri 19 Mar | Tilson: “They Cannot Leave With Any Regrets”

Mon 22 Mar | Millennium Stadium Reaction

Mon 22 Mar | What The Papers Said

Thu 25 Mar | Shrimpers Snap Up Arsenal Youngster

Wed 31 Mar | McSweeney Wings Off To Welling


Results Service (click on match for full TLG report):


Wed 03 Mar | Boston United | W2-0 | 2870 | Mark Bentley, Neil Jenkins

Sat 06 Mar | Bristol Rovers | D1-1 | 5625 | Mark Gower

Sat 13 Mar | Swansea City | D1-1 | 4753 | Lawrie Dudfield

Tue 16 Mar | Lincoln City | D2-2 | 3943 | Leon Constantine 2

Sun 21 Mar | Blackpool | L0-2 | 34031

Sat 27 Mar | Carlisle United | W2-1 | 6173 | Leon Constantine 2 (1 pen)


Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com