Roots Hall Roar - Southend Utd Quiz

Answer: 1906

Oliver Trigg, the landlord of local public house 'The Blue Boar', set up a meeting with some of his fellow football enthusiasts in May 1906. It was felt that the town of Southend needed a semi-professional football club. Following this meeting Southend United was born.

They replaced the existing Southend Athletic club and was duely elected into the professional Southern League Division Two.

Answer: Clapton Orient

Clapton Orient played two league games at Wembley in this season, due to upgrading work being carried out on their home ground. It wasn't a happy debut at the 'Venue of Legends', for United having runout 3-1 losers on the day. Southend's Wembley line-up was:- Billy Moore, Jack French, Dave Robinson, Bob Ward, Joe Wilson, Joe Johnson, Fred Barnett, Micky Jones, Jimmy Shankly, Dickie Donovan and Arthur Compton. Micky Jones scored Southend's one and only Wembley goal, with a strike on 22 mins to give them the lead.

Answer: Sir Bobby Moore

The late great Sir Bobby Moore, took charge of United in February of 1984, and resigned from the position in April 1986. It was to be Sir Bobby's first and only venture into club management, unfortunately not a very successful one. His record league results: Played 109, won 35, drew 26. and lost 48. Goals for 147, goals against 175, success 44.04%

He contined his association with the club following his departure by becoming a Director on the United board. This position he held until his sad and untimely death in 1993.
But despite his medicore record as Blues boss, Sir Bobby has and will always remain close to the hearts of all Shrimpers.

Answer: Notts County

The 1st leg saw The Shrimpers coming out on top with a 1-0 win; a scoreline that was to be repeated in the 2nd leg, but this time in favour of County. After thirty minutes of extra time the aggregate scores remained 1-1. A penalty shoot-out was to conclude the tie, with Southend losing 4-3 to a jubilant County side.
Who could forget the image of United keeper Paul Sansome sitting on the floor, sobbing into his gloves after failing to keep out County's winning penalty!

Answer: 3-0 to Liverpool

For the travelling Shrimpers it was a night to remember. Here they were in the 'Mecca' of football, The 'Red Cauldron', Anfield Road. The home of the greasest club side in the world. By half time they were feeling confident and a little disappointed with the scores being level at 0-0. Southend's Derek Parker had missed what could only be described as 'sitters' or open goals, three times in the first 45 minutes.

But the dream was not to be. They eventually went down 3-0 on the night, but were still in high spirits.

It's not everyday that a club like Southend United gets a taste of the high life.

Answer: Hereford United

Southend actually went the entire season unbeaten in the league at home, but was suprisingly beaten by Hereford in the FA Cup 1st Round tie at Roots Hall (0-1). Port Vale was beaten 5-1 Lincoln City held United to a 0-0 draw and were their main rivals for the title.
Rochdale took a shock lead in the final game of the season, but luckily for The Blues, Tony Hadley (not of Spandau Ballet fame) used his head to equalise. The game ended 1-1, and the draw was good enough to give Southend the 4th Division Title.

Answer: Japan & New Zealand

12th August 1983 Southend played against the Japan International XI losing the match 0-1. 5th February 1992, the opponents this time was the New Zealand World Cup XI with the Shrimpers running out 4-2 winners. Southend had also played against the Austrian 'B' team on two occasions. 15th May 1957, they lost 2-1 in front of a crowd of 28,000. Again the following year on the 14th May 1958, they lost 4-3.

Answer: Newcastle United

If you ask any Southend supporter what they would regard as the greatest moment in the clubs history, some might say the 1979 FA Cup 3rd round tie, against the mighty Liverpool, or Ian Benjamin's goal at Bury in 1991 that assured promotion for the first time to Division One. Even the LDV Trophy Final at The Millenium Stadium in March 2004 (that was a great day!).

But the vast majority would say that 1st January 1992 was that moment. A 4-0 win against the mighty 'Toon Army', and topping the table in the process was beyond belief. Angell (2), Jones and Ansah were the goal scorers on the day in front of a crowd of 9458.

It was indeed a glorious day!

Answer: 31,090

It was against Liverpool in the FA Cup 3rd tie played on the 10th January 1979. The 2004 Roots Hall ground had a capacity of 12,306, following the change to an all-seater stadium. Back in 1979, all but the East Stand was terracing and the South Stand was a massive terraced bank, holding in excess of 15,000 alone. It was an impressive 72 steps high. The ground itself was originally designed to hold 40,000.
It is highly unlikely that this record attendance will ever be beaten.

Answer: Charterhouse

'The Charterhouse years' as they are fondly known. saw The Blues win their only major piece of silverware, the Fourth Division title way back in 1981. A blue shirt with white sleeves, it was a simple design but one that has remained one of the supporters' favorite kits over the last 30 years.