Their supporters have waited. And waited. And waited. And then some.
Never appeared in a cup final there. And just one re-arranged league game in 1930 their solitary visit. Wembley Stadium has never been kind to one of our local League Two sides, Southend United.
But after a frenetic, tumultuous, epic night at Roots Hall in February, the Shrimpers, along with over 30,000 fans, were going to their first ever cup final at the home of football.
The result, frankly, was immaterial. Their opponents for the Johnstones Paint Trophy, Crewe Alexandra, are a division above Southend, and beat them home and away in the play-offs last season.
We hoped for a win, but fully expected defeat. Just being there, however, was enough. Joe and I were determined, along with a huge part of South Essex, to make the most of it.
[audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/1-Southend-v-Crewe-Preview.mp3|titles=1 – Southend v Crewe Preview]They came in fancy dress. Smurfs were popular. Human beer bottles and super heroes were also in evidence. Almost ever Southend supporter, though, had made the effort to at least wear something in their side’s navy colours. Off the pitch, they were painting Wembley blue.
Which was just as well. As expected, the heavily outnumbered Crewe fans were celebrating soon enough. A goal up after just five minutes. We feared the worst. We needn’t have though. Only the wrong refereeing decision had cost Southend the chance of a first half equaliser. We reached the break in good spirits.
[audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2-Southend-0-1-Crewe-HT.mp3|titles=2 – Southend 0-1 Crewe HT]Being a league above Southend United, though, Crewe Alexandra soon exerted their superiority again. Within a few minutes of the second half Max Clayton had made it 2-0 to the Cheshire club. There really was no way back.
No matter. Southend United had waited 83 years just to make it there. The fans, if not the team, had certainly made the most of it. Crewe were worthy winners but certainly hadn’t spoiled the party.
[audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/3-Southend-0-2-Crewe-FT.mp3|titles=3 – Southend 0-2 Crewe FT]And so off went the 30,000+ Shrimper Armyfoot soldiers, back to South Essex or the metropolis to carouse the evening away. Joe and I chose Carnaby Street to finish off our day. It somehow seemed right, on a day Southend United made history, to have a wander down one of London’s most liveliest and historic roads.
Should it take a similar time for Southend United to return to Wembley, we’ll all be long since departed. It’s perhaps why we really made the most of it!
