Up for the cup.....

[Simon BTFC]

So we're edging out onto the road to the millenium stadium on saturday... will this be our year for that elusive cup run? Hopefully the answer is yes. Of course this season I reckon the priority has to be the league and we must be careful not to take our eyes off the ball if cup success comes our way!

 

So Southend Manor then. A nice train journey down to the coast, may take in a pub or 2 (anybody know any good ones?) Hopefully an opportunity for some of the youngsters to build confidence, and get some goals. Would like to see Heeroo and Cousins do well, and it'll be interesting to see who gets the nod up front.

 

My team would be:

Gothard

McSweeney Trott Sappleton Henty (Back 4 picks itself at present)

Heeroo Forbes Dormer Cousins

Allen Hockton

 

Subs

Brayley

Hunter

Game

Kerrigan

Stowe

 

Reckon that's a strong attack minded line up. In reality I reckon Hunter or Game will come into midfield in place of one of the wingers, probably Heeroo.

[YELLOW]

Quote:

Simon BTFC said:
So Southend Manor then. A nice train journey down to the coast, may take in a pub or 2 (anybody know any good ones?)

Wouldn't go in the Last Post opposite Southend Central station. OK pub but no football colours. None of the pubs on the esplanade are that great and are definitely best avoided. Not sure about any of the pubs around the ground. Hogs head in the town centre is OK but no really outstanding pubs in Southend.

[Simon BTFC]

Well I know the town centre pubs pretty well - misspent youth at school in Southend. The cork and cheese is pretty good. Was hoping for a pub nearer Southend East station / the ground in truth!

 

[YELLOW]

Don't really know the pubs around Southend East unfortunately.

[Nitetime Neil]

Following Simon's excellent directions, you will go past the White Horse on the corner of Lifstan Way and Southchurch Road which is quite a popular local hostelry - big, recently modernized and I'm pretty sure is part of the Spirit Group same as the Pilgrim, so does all your usual food and drink requirements. I believe it is the nearest pub to the ground on the way, though their may be (dodgy)others nearer the ground on the seafront.

 

I took the opportunity today whilst delivering nearby to have a nosey at the ground and Town fans used to Conference and Ryman "stadiums" are in for a culture shock! There is a decent sized 500 seat stand complete with concrete slabs for seats - but absolutely nothing else, no cover, no terracing, not even any advertising hoardings to protect yer legs, just a single rail all the way round. Hell, even the goalnets weren't up whenI called in !!! They do have six floodlights but we won't be needing them and to the untrained eye the pitch looked green and flat, but the grass was very short, so it could be a bit hard and bumpy.There is a bar in the building behind the stand hidden from view by shrubbery as you enter the ground from the park - following Simon's directions in the programme, either turn right into Northumberland Crescent when you see the ground (can't miss it) or go past and do a right into Shaftesbury Ave - both have ample free off street parking. If you do the latter, walk through the entrance between the tennis courts and the bowls green, pass the nice little lake with ducky-wuckies in and enter the ground from behind the stand. Hope this helps you lot - could be a nice day out if the sun shines!

[Barry Proudfoot]

The Castle is near the ground (along the seafront) and is about a 5 minute walk away

[Simon BTFC]

Can't claim responsibility for the directions in the prog, they're Ryan's so blame him if you get lost... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

 

Ground sounds a bit like Stansted last season, wonder if it comes complete with a Hedgehog on the penalty spot? If not then a pitch invasion of duckie wuckies would be a definate highlight <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[extaffyjim]

Thanks for the directions guys. For those of you interested in a flutter Bet 365 are offering:

7/1 Manor, 7/2 Draw, 2/7 Ricay.

Not much value for us there so i think ill stay off it this week after my bumper win on tuesday.

Thevye got prices on all the fa cup matches, some interesting match ups so worth a look

[Keith.P]

A lot of Towns folk are heading for The Castle...Suggest anyone going for a drink before hand heads there...Would be a lovely sight to see loads of shirts proudly worn..(Even Shorts)for the more adventurous of "our" fans !!

[GazzaBTFC]

Shorts? Will the pub allow all those legs to be shown?