A Look Into Histories

A LOOK INTO HISTORY TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY EIGHT

SOUTHEND UNITED’S FINAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE GAME

As this story reflects on Southend United’s very last game in the Football League, my intro is merely to say that they were formed in 1906 and were founder members of Division Three in 1921 where they stayed either at that level or Division Four with a Championship to their credit in 1981. After reaching the heights of Division One in 1992 they continued at that level until 1997 with declining fortunes since.

Our Match Programme is for that last ever game in the Football League on 8th May 2021 v Newport County who, themselves, had suffered their own loss of Football League status in years past but had now returned. Despite their last three games v Leyton Orient 2-1 and Barrow 2-1, this was not enough to save the club and they went into the game in the knowledge that they were being one of two to be relegated, Grimsby Town having a worse record.

A very glossy 52 page “ Roots Review” went on sale for £3 and Southend United can be proud of its production. Manager Phil Brown opened with a lot to say but first with “ apologies to every single supporter for being known as the man who took the club down to the National League” as the last two wins still meant relegation. Academy news came and comprehensive match reports v Colchester, Leton Orient and Barrow intemixed with plenty of excellent colour photos. There as a full page on Michael Flynn the Referee and all the Newport County players plus five pages of their history. Newport County were in a play-off position v Forest Green Rovers no matter what the result was. There were spotlights on old players and Match Programmes including a Southend Athletic Southern League match v Fulham at Marine Park. A quiz followed plus the final instalment in a 100 years of Southend story which, no doubt had thrilled the fans all season. Shrimpers Supporters had their say and all fixtures and results were given. The teams were on the back page.

The game ended as a 1-1 draw with Southend United’s Shaun Hobson’s 11th minute goal offset by Mickey Demetriou in the 56th minute. With that the curtain came down on 101 years of Football League membership in a season where they only reached 21st on two occasions and even the attendance was withheld !