THE SOUTHEND UNITED PIONEERS
The blue shirt, a few shades lighter than the version worn today, was first pulled on by a team representing Southend United back in 1906. The men involved had come from all walks of life: fishermen, soldiers, miners, butchers, farmers … ordinary men with a burning desire to play football even though the top wage offered was little more than £2 a week.
Some had already achieved success in the game; others would go on to achieve greatness after they had shone as a Shrimper. Many were recruited from local football, men who had shown promise and who had jumped at the chance to be part of a new venture.
A rudimentary Roots Hall awaited them, as did playing conditions that would make today’s footballers blush – some of the pitches the team would have to play on in Wales were little more than bogs.
The vast majority of these men had experienced hardship. Many were born into large families in close-knit communities where they lived and worked together. Some would experience tragedy, witness sights that no one should ever have to see, or be forced to make heart-wrenching decisions. Others would go on to pay the ultimate sacrifice as part of a global conflict, or carry its scars for the rest of their lives.
There were, of course, many lighter moments, events that will make you smile, others that would fill you up with pride and many truly heroic tales.
This book brings the past to life, telling true stories never told before. Its authors feel privileged to have undertaken this work. It is a book that any football fan, regardless of the team they support, and any lover of social history will enjoy. Some testimonies to its content appear below.
Pre-order & Subscriber Details
We anticipate that the book will be published in July 2026. If you order before 1 May 2026, your name will appear in the book as a subscriber.
As this is a book celebrating our club’s pioneers, we invite you to dedicate a memory to a ‘pioneer’ in your own life. This could be the player who first captured your imagination, or the person who inspired your lifelong support and took you to your first game, or maybe someone you simply wish to remember with affection. Your name will appear in a special ‘Legacy List’ within the book alongside your dedication. To ensure we can include everyone we ask that you limit your dedication to a maximum of 40 characters. By way of example, your dedication could be ‘My dad, who took me to my first match’ or ‘Billy Best – simply the greatest’. We reserve the right to not include or to amend any dedications which we consider to be inappropriate or likely to cause offence.
- Format: Paperback
- Price: £10 (plus P&P)
- Order now by clicking here
All Profits to the SUEPA Fund
After covering publishing costs, all profits will go to the SUEPA Fund, a ringfenced account within the Shrimpers Trust. Ultimately, we hope to help fund a future Southend United Museum at Roots Hall – keeping our rich heritage alive for generations to come.
Paul FitzGerald, Terry Hamlyn and Andrew Leeder
Co-authors, The Southend United Pioneers
Some Testimonials
“The research effort that has gone into putting this together – wow!” Adam Barrett
“Beautifully written. Our past brought to life. And what many of these men went through, well, it defies belief. A tear or two was shed.” Billy Best
“These stories are truly remarkable. Real lives, true Shrimpers.” Glenn Pennyfather
“This is what our club is all about. History, people, and a legacy that reaches far beyond the pitch.” Justin Rees